
Report of the 
Executive Committee 



Mayor's Committee on National Defense 



New York City 
November twenty-first, 1917 



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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

OF THE 

MAYOR'S COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE 



Lewis L. Clarke (Treasurer) 
Cleveland H. Dodge 
William N. Dykman 
Francis G. Landon 
Maetin W. Littleton 
John Mitchell 
William Fellowes Morgan 
Morgan J. O'Brien 
E. H. Outerbridge 



Herbert Parsons 
George W. Perkins 
Elihu Root 
Mortimer L. Schiff 
Alfred E. Smith 
John B. Stanchfield 
Henry L. Stimson 
Alexander M. White 
George W. Wickers ham 
George T. Wilson 



Thomas L. Chadboubne, Jr., Chairman 
Philip J. McCook, Vice-CTtairman and Director 



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MAYOR'S COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE 



Report of the Executive Committee 

Honorable John Pueboy Mitchel, Mayor. 
Sir: 

IN making this report of the work of tho Mayor's Committee on National Defense 
since its organization more than two years ago, the Executive Committee of that 
Committee feels that it should introduce what follows with several general state- 
ments. 

The first of these is that this Committee was organized, and its work has been 
continuously conducted, with one animating purpose, namely, to serve the nation, in 
so far as a local organization can do so, without regard to partisan political consider- 
ations. The Committee is made up of men of all parties, races, creeds and groups, 
resident all over the City, and each of them has served as patriotic citizens should 
serve in time of stress. 

The second generalization we wish to make is this: that our work has been 
financed primarily by private subscription in and out of the Committee. When, how- 
ever, the extent of the undertaking became apparent, appeal was made to the Board of 
Estimate for sub-authorizations out of the special fund of $250,000 created by the Board 
of Estimate for special war purposes. These appeals covered not only work properly 
ours, but also the expenses of the Director of the State Census for New York City and 
of the Employment Clearing House. In no case, however, has the salary of any 
employe of the Committee been paid by the City. The services of the staff have been 
wholly contributed by members and friends of the Committee. 

The third matter to which we call specific attention is that at no time since the 
Committee was organized have you as Mayor attempted to dictate its policies or to 
use it for any ends save those for which it was organized. Our policy, once established, 
has been directed and developed solely by the Committee. 

We think it proper that these facts be placed on record in this our final report 
to you. At the same time we feel that the Committee owes you a debt for the un- 
failing support you have given it in all matters which it has undertaken affecting the 
public weal and the conduct of the war. 

FORMATION OF COMMITTEE. 

Pursuant to a statement issued by yourself as Mayor on October 6, 1915, the Execu- 
tive Committee of the Mayor's Committee on National Defense held its first meeting 
October 7, 1915, and announced its purpose to develop in this City an understanding of 
and a sentiment for an effective national defense, and to sustain the hands of the Na- 
tional Government in asking for the adoption of a strong program by the Congress 
of the United States. 

On October 29, 1915, you issued a call to one thousand citizens of New York City, 
asking them to become members of the Mayor's Committee on National Defense. This 
general committee held its first meeting December 16, 1915, and adopted a resolution 
pledging the Committee (1) to the support of the President of the United States and 
Congress in their efforts to provide for the common defense through an adequate in- 
crease in the forces of the army and navy; (2) to cooperate with all organizations and 
associations having for their object the completion and perfection of an adequate navy 
and a sufficient army; (3) urging upon other cities and municipalities and their citi- 
zens to organize associations and committees having these objects in view, and pledg- 
ing cooperation to such associations and committees in any manner which, in the joint 
judgment of all, would more surely attain the ends in view; (4) empowering and in- 
structing the Executive Committee of the General Committee to communicate with other 
associations now in existence or which might be formed thereafter, to the end that such 
associations might be convened at a suitable time and place for a surer and more effec- 
tive organization. 



ST. LOUIS MAYORS' CONFERENCE. 

As a result of this resolution, the Executive Committee, with your approval, sug- 
gested and helped arrange for a defense conference of mayors and mayors' committees, 
which was held in St. Louis, March 3 and 4, 1916. Twenty-nine mayors of leading 
American cities were present In person and 58 cities and 22 states were represented by 
a total of 299 delegates. A permanent organization called the National Defense Con- 
ference of Mayors and Mayors' Committees was formed, with headquarters in St. Louis, 
and adopted resolutions demanding the immediate authorization by Congress of an 
adequate military and naval program; further, the Conference approved and recom- 
mended the immediate formulation of plans by the Federal Government for the organ- 
ization and mobilization of the physical resources of the country, with certain specific 
recommendations. 

The organization of this Conference and the adoption of these resolutions un- 
doubtedly had an effect upon the first Session of the 64th Congress. The local effect 
of the work of the Mayor's Committee in this direction was refiected in the vote on the 
Kahn Amendment to the Hay Bill which fixed the total enlisted force of the line of 
the army at 250,000 instead of 140,000 men. Out of 24 Congressmen whose districts 
are wholly or in part in New York City, 21 voted for the Amendment. 

HOME DEFENSE LEAGUE. 

During the winter of 1915-16, the Committee devoted its efforts not only to the 
program already adopted, but to the development of the Home Defense League (a large 
body of volunteer police to supplement the regular force), and to the working out of an 
effective plan of mobilizing the transportation facilities and other civilian resources of 
the City in the event of war. 

BORDER MOBILIZATION REPORT. 

The mobilization of the National Guard in the summer of 1916 upon the Mexican 
border seemed to your Committee to afford an excellent oportunity for a constructive 
study of its effects upon the economic life of this community. As a result, after a care- 
ful study for a period of five months, during which time a number of trained in- 
vestigators were employed, a report was issued, and copies were sent to you and widely 
distributed throughout the country. 

DECLARATION TO PRESIDENT. 

When Germany announced on February 1st of this year that a campaign of un- 
restricted submarine warfare would be put into operation, and the President of the 
United States severed diplomatic relations with the Imperial German Government, 
there ensued a period in which the activities in the United States of pro-Germans and 
professional pacifists were so extended and elaborate, so vociferous and so entirely 
foreign to the true sentiment of our people, that the Executive Committee circulated 
and obtained signatures to the following declaration: 

"To the President of the United States: 

As an American, faithful to American ideals of justice, liberty and humanity, 
and confident that the Government has exerted its most earnest efforts to keep 
us at peace with the world, I hereby declare my absolute and unconditional 
loyalty to the Government of the United States and pledge my support to you 
in protecting American rights against unlawful violence upon land and sea, in 
guarding the Nation against hostile attacks, and in upholding international 
right." 

Upwards of a million persons in New York City signed the declaration in about 
three weeks, and the President was so notified on April 2nd. The signed sheets were 
transmitted to the President and were before him in time to show him that approxi- 
mately one million New Yorkers were behind him in his stand for international justice. 
The same plan was followed in other cities with excellent results. 



RECOGNIZED AS HOME DEFENSE COMMITTEE. 

Immediately following the declaration of war, the Committee undertook the task 
of coordinating the work of the various organizations and citizens in New York City 
who desired to be of service in the crisis. A number of committees were being formed 
both by Individuals and organizations, and it was thought desirable in the interest of 
all that their work should be as far as possible harmonized and coordinated so that 
overlapping, unnecessary duplication and waste might be prevented. During this period 
the Executive Committee was in close touch with both the State and Federal authori- 
ties. Governor Whitman prepared a comprehensive scheme for activities throughout the 
State. The plan contemplated the appointment of a home defense committee for each 
county. Under the direction of the State authorities, the Mayor's Committee on Na- 
tional Defense was designated to take charge in New York City as an organization al- 
ready formed and equipped to do such work. From that time this Committee has been 
recognized as the Home Defense Committee for the five counties constituting the Greater 
City, under the State and National Defense Councils. 

SPECIAL COMMITTEES. 

Following are the special committees with their chairmen and secretaries; the title 
is usually indicative of the purpose, which in any event is shown later in this report: 

Recruiting Committee — Alexander J. Hemphill, Chairman, Lewis K. Brown, 
Secretary; Committee on Industry and Employment — Rev. Percy Stickney Grant, 
Chairman (succeeding Professor Henry R. Seager), J. B. Buell, Secretary; Com- 
mittee on Speakers and War Instruction — Ernest Stauffen, Chairman (succeeding 
A. H. Spencer and George B. Compton), W. Franklin Edwards, Secretary; Com- 
mittee on Hospital and Medical Facilities — S. S. Goldwater, M. D., Chairman, 
Joseph J. Weber, Secretary; Committee on Aliens — Archibald E. Stevenson, Chair- 
man, Joseph E. See, Secretary; Committee on Organizations — George T. Wilson, 
Chairman, Wayne L. Randall, Secretary; Committee on Relief — Thomas Cochran, 
Chairman, Edward T. Devine, Vice-Chairman. 

Mr. G. Osgood Andrews is Manager of Films under the Committee on Speakers and 
War Instruction. 

Mr. C. E. Mellon is Manager of the Joint Information Bureau of the Red Cross and 
the Mayor's Committee on National Defense. 

The other departments are as follows: 

Transportation Department — E. B. Cochems, Manager. Draft Information 
Bureau — Waldemar Kops, Manager. Publicity Bureau — Heber Blankenhorn, Man- 
ager. 

The Director, Mr. Philip J. McCook, is the executive officer of the Mayor's Committee 
on National Defense, as well as its Vice-Chairman and a member of the Executive Com- 
mittee. His duty has been to take charge of the staff and to secure unity of action 
by the committees and departments and a proper distribution of work and assignment 
of assistants. Hamilton Owens, Esq., is General Secretary of the Committee. 

Reports from each of the committees, departments, etc., are to be found in an 
appendix. 

BOROUGH COMMITTEES. 

There are advisory committees in Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Richmond Boroughs. 
Except in the case of Bronx and Queens, where a different course was desired by the 
Borough Committee, they have been called upon for little work outside of local co- 
operation with the special committees. The Chairmen are as follows: 

Bronx Committee — Edward R. Koch; Brooklyn Committee — William N. Dyk- 
man; Queens Committee — C. G. M. Thomas; Richmond Committee — William G. 
Willcox. 

The reports of the Bronx and Queens Committees appear in the appendix. 

FINANCE. 

Lewis L. Clarke, Esquire, the Treasurer of the Committee, has kindly detailed to 
our headauarters as his assistant Mr. T. Frank Bennett, who passes on the details of 



office expenditure. The funds were obtained primarily by private subscription, second- 
arily, except in the case of salaries, by segregation from the $250,000 appropriation for 
war emergencies under the control of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment. The 
Treasurer's report forms part of the appendix. 

WOMEN'S COMMITTEE. 

From the beginning the patriotic work of the women of New York was conspicu- 
ous. The IMayor desired to recognize this condition, and the only question was whether 
to do so by joint action or through separate committees. The latter course was finally 
decided upon at the wish of the women most concerned, and the Mayor's Committee of 
Women on National Defense was formed with Miss Ruth Morgan as Chairman, Mrs. 
Willard Straight as Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Henry Moskowitz Secretary and Mrs. V. 
Everit Macy, Treasurer. Since the departure of Miss Morgan for Europe some months 
ago, Mrs. Straight has been Acting Chairman. The relations between the two Com- 
mittees are intimate and cordial, and in many phases of their work they have acted 
together. 

RECRUITING. 

The scheme of organization was adopted none too soon. There was pressing need 
for a comprehensive recruiting campaign. This Committee, therefore, suggested that 
you appoint Alexander J. Hemphill chairman of the Special Committee on Recruiting. 
His Committee immediately established relations with the recruiting offices of all 
branches of the National service — Army, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard — for the 
stimulation of recruiting. 

The Recruiting Committee has used military parades, patriotic rallies, speakers, 
newspaper advertising, posters, music and other media of publicity on a large scale to 
make the needs of the service known. Since the beginning of the War it has not only 
distributed many thousands of posters for the recruiting offices (which were without 
adequate means of distribution), but has supplemented the relatively small number of 
Government posters by printing hundreds of thousands of posters and window and wind- 
shield cards and a very large number of leaflets giving detailed information. 

LAND BATTLESHIP "RECRUIT". 

A subcommittee of the Recruiting Committee erected in the park at Union Square, 
through funds provided by special popular subscription, the land battleship "Recruit". 
The ship has been manned by the United States Navy with a captain and crew and is 
the central point of navy recruiting in New York City. 

SPECIAL RECRUITING ACTIVITIES. 

Another branch of the Recruiting Committee — the Battalion of Service Men — 
organized a recruiting battalion of fifteen hundred men who had seen service under 
the Government. They covered more than one hundred meetings held under the aus- 
pices of political, labor, fraternal, civic and social organizations, and about the same 
number of street meetings. The Recruiting Committee cooperated with the British 
Recruiting Mission in carrying out their program of "British Recruiting Week" when 
armed Canadian troops with their bands and pipers visited New York, increasing as a 
result British enlistments by one hundred percent. 

THE QUOTAS FILLED. 

About the first of August the required quotas of the Regular Army, Navy and 
Marine Corps were reached, and shortly afterwards the National Guard attained its 
approximate war strength. Since that time the Recruiting Committee has devoted its 
efforts to securing recruits for certain specific branches in the National Army — various 
sections of the Engineer Corps, such as the camouflage section, gas and flame section. 
Ordnance Corps and Quartermaster Corps. 



THE FUTURE OF RECRUITING. 

When the United States first entered the War recruiting consisted of a "rush to 
the colors." The campaign was extensive. Now it must be intensive and reciuires on 
the part of our Recruiting Committee a correspondingly greater exercise of judgment 
and intelligence. Plans are under way and in actual operation for securing the enlist- 
ment of specialists as they are needed by the nation. 

FEDERAL REGISTRATION. 

When the Federal Selective Draft became law, you, as Mayor, having been desig- 
nated by the President and the Governor to devise a scheme to secure the registration 
of all male residents of New York City between the ages of 21 and 31, delegated this 
duty to this Committee. The Director suggested to you that the machinery of the 
Board of Elections, under the supervision of a City board consisting of one public 
official to act as executive head and another as custodian, with five additional members 
appointed from civil life — one lawyer, one doctor, one relief expert, one employer and 
one labor man be used, with similar borough boards and smaller assembly district 
boards. The plan was accepted at Albany and Washington and this Committee acted 
as unofficial adviser throughout the registration both to the Mayor and to the Boards 
of Registration. 

The registration of over 600,000 men was completed without a hitch and there was 
not the slightest hint of scandal or serious disorder. At one point in the day (June 
5th) the Committee was called upon to find more than a hundred additional registrars 
of high type, who were supplied to the Board of Elections on an hour's notice. Our 
Transportation Department, the development of which is outlined below, by that time 
in active operation, supplied about 85 automobiles throughout the day. For these 
services Provost Marshal General Enoch H. Crowder conveyed to the Mayor and the 
Committee the special thanks of the War Department. 

STATE MILITARY CENSUS. 
The next great task laid upon the public authorities was that of taking the State 
Military Census in New York City, as pi'ovided by an act of the Legislature which you 
supported. The Governor appointed Mr. E. P. Goodrich to take charge of the work 
in New York City. The registration of approximately three and one-quarter million 
men and women in New York City between the ages of 16 and 50 was accomplished 
by the State Military Census Bureau with the assistance of this Committee and the 
Mayor's Committee of Women on National Defense and dozens of other civilian asso- 
ciations. After weeks of preparation the Census was completed on June 25th, 1917. 
The work required the services of fifty thousand volunteers. Our Transportation 
Department furnished for the Census about $45,000 in time value of free automobile 
service. The Mayor's Committee received the thanks of the Governor for its part of 
the work. 

THE FIRST SELECTIVE DRAFT. 

You, as Mayor, having charge for the Federal authorities of certain details under 
the Selective Draft Law, placed the matter in the hands of the Director of this Com- 
mittee. 

It had been expected that the boards which were organized for the purpose of regis- 
tration would be continued as Exemption Boards. The Act in the form in which it 
finally passed Congress, however, provided for a local exemption board of three men 
in each district of 30,000 inhabitants, or 189 local boards in New York City. This 
Committee assisted you in suggesting to the Governor names for members of these 
local boards. The first appointments were announced by the President on July 4th. 

ORGANIZING THE BOARDS. 
Shortly thereafter the local boards received their credentials and immediately 
sought help from us. We organized a temporary Bureau of Information, assigned to 
the work every available member of the staff, obtained one hundred and fifty volun- 
teers and extended our work late into the night. When the organization of the boards 



was about eighty per cent, complete the Adjutant General sent a Deputy to represent 
the State in New York City in the matter and thus establish direct contact; he took 
up his headquarters in our oflSce, and our staff was placed at his disposal. After two 
weeks' anxious and arduous work the diiriculties were mastered and New York City 
answered ready in time for the Draft, which took place July 20th. Under Mrs. Henry 
Moskowitz of the Women's Committee and Miss Moskowitz, whose services were lent 
to us by the State Labor Department, we secured the services of volunteers to assist 
harassed boards in their work. Under Mr. H. F. Ives, also a volunteer, and a staff of 
four assistants, copies of the registration cards from the boards were received, checked 
and stored, about 600,000 of them, until they were called for by The Adjutant General. 
Under Mr. E. Herzfeld and his successor Mr. Rosebery, each a volunteer, a force of clerks, 
for the same critical period, answered the thousands of questions which poured 
in daily over the telephone, by mail, by telegram and through visitors. We had also the 
constant help and advice on legal matters of the War Committee of the Bar and of the 
Legal Aid Society. 

The task of supplying non-legal advice for local boards and registrants and their 
families has been continued and is still continuing. We have long since taken over 
for the Adjutant General the duty of allocating cards of out of town registrants and 
others to their proper local boards. We have continued likewise to suggest to the 
Governor the names of persons for service on the local boards in filling vacancies. 

As the time for the second Draft approaches, our duties are becoming heavier. 
Only a short time ago the Provost Marshal General called for the compilation of a 
certain kind of information from the records of the local boards, and we supplied in 
a few days the voluntary clerical assistants (several hundred) necessary to get the 
material out in the required time. 

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT. 

Mention has been already made of the Transportation Department. This has been 
so important a part of our work as to deserve special notice. It began originally 
at the time of the campaign in connection v/ith the Declaration to the President in 
March, 1917. The need for automobiles and other means of transportation was then 
so great that a request was made through the newspapers for the loan of cars. The 
response was instantaneous, and was followed by an effort to put the matter on a busi- 
nesslike basis. This Department now has on its lists many thousand owners of 
pleasure cars, motor vans, trucks of all tonnage, all the sightseeing buses and taxicabs. 
The Department is called upon continually, not only by our own special committees 
and the Director, but by the officers of patriotic organizations of all kinds. For 
instance, we have supplied automobiles for the Federal Registration under the Draft 
Act, the State Military Census, the two Liberty Loan campaigns, the various recruiting 
campaigns, the United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps, the Red Cross, the 
National Special Aid Society, the British Recruiting Mission, the transportation of a 
number of the special foreign missions which have come to the City on official business, 
the United States Food Administration, the Surgeon-General's Department of the Army, 
the Government Film Service, and for innumerable non-political parades, speaking tours, 
meetings and campaigns. In six months this Department has secured free of charge 
over $250,000 worth of automobile service, and has served over 60 patriotic and war 
service organizations. 

THE INDUSTRIAL PROBLEM. 

Late in the summer it became apparent through information received from many 
sources that not only were a number of citizens — particularly on the East Side — out 
of sympathy with the aims of the Government in the war, but also that among the 
more excitable members of the community there was even danger of some unpatriotic 
demonstration. Investigation disclosed that one source of trouble was the lack of 
employment among garment workers. The combination of unemployment, high prices 
and uncertainty as to the Draft had v/rought upon the nerves of a considerable section 
of the population. The Committee on Industry and Employment found that contracts 
for the manufacture of Government uniforms had been let without due regard to the 

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Importance of New York as a centre of this industry, and that while ill-equipped firms 
In other and less accessible places were being given contracts larger than they could 
handle, perfectly equipped modern shops in this City, fully capable of meeting the 
Government terms, had been overlooked. The scarcity of cloth had rendered it impossible 
for the shops to run at full time on civilian work and almost fifty per cent, unemploy- 
ment resulted. 

FEDERAL BOARD OP CONTROL. 

The Committee, first through its Chairman, and then with your aid, brought the 
matter to the attention of the Secretary of War, with the result that a Federal Board 
of Control was appointed to draw up a form of contract which would not discriminate 
against New York workers and employers, and to supervise in general the manufacture of 
army uniforms. Under the form of contract proposed, not only does the Board hope 
to conserve the health of the workers and prevent their exploitation, but to insist that 
well organized modern shops, such as those in New York, are given their proper share 
of the Government work. 

MEDIATION OF STRIKES. 

The industrial activities of the Committee did not stop with this matter. When 
in September the longshoremen of the City were on strike, the Committee con- 
ducted an immediate investigation and was able to give the Federal authorities infor- 
mation which aided them in bringing the matter to a successful and speedy end. It 
was also helpful with the butchers' and milk drivers' strikes. 

THE EMPLOYMENT CLEARING HOUSE. 

It needed no great foresight to see that one of the big problems to arise soon after 
this country entered the war would be the shift in industry resulting from the removal 
of many men from their regular pursuits by volunteer enlistment and the action of the 
Draft Law, and the transformation of manufacturing plants hitherto working for com- 
mercial purposes into munitions producing organizations. The Mayor's Committee of 
Women, through its Committee on Employment, established, under the direction of the 
Joint Committee on Industry and Employment, presided over by Professor Henry R. 
Seager, then Chairman of our Committee on Industry and Employment, a clearing house 
for non-commercial employment bureaus. Hitherto the non-commercial employment 
bureaus had acted independently, with a good deal of duplication and unnecessary effort, 
resulting not only in exaggerated expense, but great hardship upon the persons seeking 
employment. Under the clearing house system, the calls for help and the workers avail- 
able in one employment bureau were, by a system of transfers, made available for all. 
This plan worked so well, that the Mayor's Committee and the State Defense Council 
agreed to establish a joint clearing house for men and women. This clearing house was 
put in operation about October 1st, and has already proved its usefulness. It has handled 
thousands of calls both for workers and for employers and often supplied hundreds of 
trained workers on short notice. For example, when the stringent regulations for 
water-front zones became effective, work was provided for the Germans so ousted, 
without great loss of time. The continuance of this employment clearing house is 
insured for a period of one year, because the State has appropriated $10,000 and the 
City $5,000 for its support. 

THE AMERICANIZATION CAMPAIGN. 

In a city like New York, with eighty per cent of the population either foreign 
born or the children of foreign born parents, the process of national assimilation does 
not advance with encouraging speed during peace times. When war breaks out, national 
and racial differences are accentuated. 

It seemed necessary to this Committee that such war emergency steps should be 
taken as were best fitted to meet the situation. With the full cooperation of the State 
and local authorities and the leading mercantile and civic organizations, an American- 
ization campaign was planned and put into operation, the chief aim of which was to 



teach as many of our alien citizens and residents as possible the English language and 
the essential principles of American democracy. Numerous classes have been estab- 
lished in day and night schools, factories, settlement houses and community centers, 
and volunteer leaders have been enrolled and trained to do the work. In this matter, 
as in all others undertaken by the Committee, the support we have received, not only 
from the Federal, State and City Governments, but from the people of the City gener- 
ally, has been whole-hearted and sincere. 

PUTTING THE HOSPITALS ON A WAR BASIS. 

There being no possible way of knowing to what extent the hospital facilities of 
the City would be called upon by the National Government in time of war, it was 
thought advisable to make a special study to ascertain, in the first place, the reason- 
able needs of the Government, and second, what previous arrangements might be made 
to supply them with the minimum drain upon the already none too adequate resources 
of the City. To this end, the Committee on Hospital and Medical Facilities called 
together and organized a Council of Associated Hospitals of the City. The Chairman 
and Secretary of this Committee, Dr. S. S. Goldwater and Mr. J. J. Weber, after numer- 
ous conferences with the proper service ofiicials, made a trip to Canada and a study 
there of the Government hospitals and convalescent homes established for the care 
of wounded and incapacitated soldiers and sailors. 

TABULATION OF BEDS. 

A careful tabulation was made of the available beds in the hospitals of the City 
(outside a few private institutions), and this information was forwarded to the Surgeon 
General. At the request of the Committee several hospitals were made especially avail- 
able for naval patients, and a uniform system of pay established, the Committee being 
authorized to act as agent for the hospitals in their dealings with the Government. 

CENSUS OF NURSES. 

Under the direction of Dr. Goldwater, the Mayor's Committee of Women on National 
Defense, through its Committee on Nursing, undertook a census of the nursing resources 
of the City for the Government and took steps to meet the increased demand by per- 
suading hospitals to stimulate enrollment. The plan of this survey was adopted for 
the country at large by the Council of National Defense. 

DRAFTED MEDICAL STUDENTS. 

The operation of the Federal Draft brought to the attention of Dr. Goldwater and 
his Committee a serious situation. Facts were gathered from all parts of the country 
showing that the Draft was actually so operating as to take out of the medical schools 
about thirty per cent of the students in the upper classes, and that an equal number 
would undoubtedly come under the second Draft. Hospital internes who, like medical 
students, are almost without exception men of Draft age, citizens and in good physical 
condition, were likewise being called out in disproportionately large numbers. As the 
result of a newspaper campaign and the public expression of the views of prominent 
educators, showing the military importance of maintaining a constant supply of medical 
graduates throughout the period of a possibly long war, President Wilson authorized 
the promulgation of supplementary regulations providing that hospital internes and 
medical students, when drafted, may be enrolled in the Enlisted Reserve Corps. While 
remaining subject to call for military duty at any time, these men will now be per- 
mitted to complete their studies, and in due course will take their place in the Medical 
Corps of the Army. 

COORDINATION OF CIVILIAN WAR ACTIVITY. 

While these special tasks were under way, the Committee did not lose sight of 
one of its main purposes, namely so coordinating the patriotic effort of individuals and 
organizations in the community that their efforts might be used with the utmost 

8 



efficiency and the least possible duplication and waste. The Committee on Organiza- 
tions, composed of representatives of various bodies affiliated with the Mayor's Com- 
mittee, epitomizes from that point of view the Committee as a whole. There is in 
New York City, as our records show, an enormous amount of patriotic energy which 
awaits only intelligent direction to be used for the good of the City and the country 
at large during the war. Our records show who the patriotic organizations and indi- 
viduals are, what they desire to do, and what they can do. These files are so arranged 
that any organization or any individual may be called upon at short notice for such 
work as may have been entrusted to the City of New York through this Committee by 
Federal or State officials, or such other work as, in the view of the Committee, or any 
group of citizens, may appear necessary. 

WAR INSTRUCTION. 

The Committee has been frequently called upon from many quarters to supply 
speakers on patriotic subjects. To meet this need a Committee on Speakers and "War 
Instruction was established, with a completely equipped speakers' bureau. This Com- 
mittee has about two thousand speakers on its lists, and has supplied hundreds of 
public and semi-public meetings, not only all over New York City, but throughout the 
State, and in other States as well. The bureau has been of inestimable value in the 
recruiting and Liberty Loan campaigns, and is able through the medium of its intelli- 
gent and willing speakers to assist the Government in making clear to the people the 
meaning of the various policies which have been adopted for the carrying on of the 
war. All the speakers have served gratuitously. The Film Service is operated under 
the auspices of the same Special Committee. 

In all matters requiring widespread information to the public, and particularly in 
special cases arising under the State census, the Federal registration and draft, as well as 
in the case of the declarations to the President, we have had the hearty and successful 
cooperation of the clergy of all religious creeds, 

FILM SERVICE. 

About October 1st the Committee was requested by the Committee on Public Infor- 
mation at Washington to become a subscribing cooperator in the Government Film 
Service issued by Mr. Creel's Committee, and to underwrite for New York City the 
cost of distributing and exhibiting official films showing the many pharos of the Gov- 
ernment's preparations for war. The Government felt that the pictures should not be 
shown in commercial motion picture houses and so provided in its contract. This 
meant that the Committee must not only go into the business of distributing film with 
an overhead charge of $300 per week but also find customers for such pictures. Having 
undertaken the task we were fortunate enough to secure the services of Mr. G. Osgood 
Andrews, who attacked the problem from a broad business viewpoint, apportioning the 
expense to those organizations and individuals who signified their desire to use the 
films. Thirty-three clubs, churches and similar organizations throughout the City have 
already shown or arranged to show the pictures to their members. It is now hoped 
that not only will the Government's desires in the matter be met but that the Com- 
mittee will be able to reimburse itself for its weekly outlay and possibly extend its use- 
fulness. 

ENEMY ALIENS. 

The importance of regulating properly the menace of enemy aliens within the 
City has been apparent to the Federal Government since the beginning of the war. 
The establishment of the first barred zones found this Committee in a position to assist 
the Government in the registration of enemy aliens. The Committee on Aliens acted, in 
effect, as a Deputy United States Marshal, and assisted approximately 1800 aliens affected 
by the first regulations to prepare their papers. Moreover, we were able, through our 
translators, to observe the utterances of the foreign language newspapers and their 
attitude towards the war. The information thus gathered is regularly supplied to the 



National authorities. The Committee has recently been fully sustained by the Treasury 
Department in its vigorous fight against German insurance companies. 

By virtue of being recognized as the official war organization of the City, the Com- 
mittee has been the recipient of many communications delivered verbally or by letter 
bearing upon the complex alien enemy problem, and is in frequent conference with the 
Federal authorities concerned with its solution. Other phases of this work are covered 
elsewhere in this report. 

FIRE PREVENTION. 

The Committee on Industry and Employment of this Committee was requested by 
the State authorities to supervise the inspection of munition plants and warehouses 
in this vicinity, with the idea of minimizing the danger of fire loss, either through 
accident or incendiarism. The inspectors of the Board of Fire Underwriters under 
the direction of Mr. F. J. T. Stewart were placed at the disposal of the Committee, and 
frequent inspections made of all plants and properties concerned. The inspectors, men 
trained to the work, were instructed to offer specific suggestions to owners and mana- 
gers as to the steps they should take for the better protection of their property. 

NEW YORK MUNITIONS FIRES. 

For the most part these suggestions were well received, but it soon became appar- 
ent that the real need was an adequate force of guards, and Mr. Stewart so reported to 
our Committee. The extent of the danger was proven by the great losses which had, 
already occurred. The report was brought immediately to the attention of the Adju- 
tant General of the State, and at his suggestion taken up directly with the Secretary 
of War, being now in the hands of the Secretary's official advisers. Since then the 
President has announced a much more stringent set of regulations for controlling the 
movements of enemy aliens throughout the country, with particular emphasis upon the 
safeguarding of piers and warehouses. It now appears that military guards are to be 
placed at various points in and near New York whose safety is a matter of special 
concern to the nation at this time. 



RED CROSS JOINT BUREAU. 

At the suggestion of this Committee you, as Mayor, wrote to the Secretary of War 
suggesting that information bureaus under the direction of the War Department be 
opened in all largely populated centers from which the families of men in the service 
could secure information, and obtain answers to the numerous anxious questions asked. 
The publication of this letter resulted in a conference between the representatives 
here of the Division of Civilian Relief of the Red Cross and of this Committee, at 
which arrangements were made to conduct a joint information bureau operated by 
the Red Cross and the Mayor's Committee. This bureau is now in operation. It is 
already equipped with full data as to soldiers' insurance and family allotments. As 
the war goes on and the casualty lists begin to come in, it is expected the bureau will 
be made an official means of communication between the War Department and the 
people of New York. 

THE LIBERTY LOAN. 

Mention has already been made in this report of our cooperation with the Liberty 
Loan Committee and its two flotation campaigns to date. The extent of this coopera- 
tion was so marked, particularly in the second campaign, that we feel some special 
record should be made of it. Our Committee on Organizations arranged and carried 
through the initial meeting of the campaign, held on the steps of the City Hall on 
October 1st, and addressed by yourself. The parade which preceded the meeting was 
arranged by us, and the bands and military escort which accompanied the salesmen 
on their parade were brought in by our efforts. The Committee on Speakers and War 
Instruction not only set aside certain of its speakers for the sole use of the Liberty 

10 



Loan Committee, but gave all other speakers instructions to mention the Liberty Loan 
campaign, no matter what the occasion of their appearance. 

The Transportation Department supplied the Liberty Loan Committee with bands 
for twenty-three separate rallies and was largely instrumental in getting eleven bands 
to serve free in the Liberty Loan Parade on October 23rd. Sixty-four owners of auto- 
mobiles lent their cars to the Liberty Loan Committee. The Fifth Avenue Coach Com- 
pany lent the Committee for the Liberty Loan sixty-eight buses during the same period. 
The Mayor's Committee was also asked to take charge of the erection of the reviewing 
stand for the Liberty Loan Day Parade. Through Mr. Stephen N. Bond we did so, 
and assumed half the expense. Mr. Bond also acted as chairman of special committees 
In charge of the civilian features of National Guard Day and National Army Day. 

NATIONAL GUARD DAY. 

• We offered to underwrite the arrangements for the civilian end of the celebration in 
connection with the departure of the National Guard August 30th. A large grandstand 
was erected by us in front of the Public Library and turned over to the National Guard, 
Veterans of the Civil War, Spanish War Veterans and distinguished citizens. The 
parade was reviewed from this stand and that of the Union League Club by the Gov- 
ernor and the Mayor. The Committee also arranged to have the best vantage points 
along the line of march reserved for the relatives of the marchers. In the evening 
motion picture theatres were thrown open to the men wearing the National Guard 
uniform. 

NATIONAL ARMY DAY. 

On September 4th, less than a week after the National Guard celebration, this 
Committee arranged or supervised three separate parades of drafted men — one in 
Brooklyn, one in the Bronx and one in Manhattan. Fully fifty per cent of the drafted 
quota appeared in line and made a splendid showing. The stand erected for the 
National Guard Parade was used again on this occasion. In the afternoon, through 
the courtesy of the New York Baseball Club and at the suggestion of the New York 
World, the men were permitted to see a game between New York and Boston without 
cost. The Committee served luncheon to the drafted men at the ballground. In the 
evening there were numerous dances and entertainments in social and recreation cen- 
ters. These parades were the first general gatherings of drafted men and gave the 
City of New York its first opportunity to see the splendid spirit Avhich has animated 
the National Army from the very beginning. Our efforts were designed to encourage 
this feeling. 

SOUTHERN COMMERCIAL CONGRESS. 

The Committee was requested by the Mayor to arrange a reception on October 
16th for the diplomats of the thirteen allied countries scheduled to come to the City 
as guests of the Southern Commercial Congress which was in session here at that time. 
Arrangements were made and carried out befitting such an occasion. 

BRITISH MINISTRY OF MUNITIONS. 

At the request of the Council of National Defense and the State Defense Council 
the Committee undertook the arrangements for the reception here of a special mission 
of the British Ministry of Munitions comprising Sir Stephenson Kent, Mr. H. W. 
Garrod, Mr. G. H. Baillie, and Captain Cyril Asquith. The Commission desired to keep 
its visit as informal as possible consistent with meeting the representative employers 
and workingmen of the City and northern New Jersey. Accordingly about twenty 
different appointments for them were made through the courtesy of the Merchants' 
Association, Chamber of Commerce, Central Labor Union of Brooklyn and Queens, 
Central Federated Union of New York and Bronx, Executive Committee of the New 
York Committee on Industrial Training for the Council of National Defense, State 
Industrial Commission, United Engineering Societies, Local Exemption Boards, Com- 

11 



mittee on Women in Industry of the Council of National Defense and the New York 
Editorial Conference, at luncheons, morning and afternoon conferences, dinners, etc. 

The Mayor received the mission upon its arrival at the City Hall, and there fol- 
lowed a small luncheon at the McAlpin Hotel under the auspices of this Committee, 
to which were invited persons especially interested in the problems under discussion. 

The Committee feels that the visit of the British Ministry of Munitions is one of 
the most important single events with which it has had to do. We were given a 
great opportunity to enlighten our citizens upon the vital subject of man-power in the 
war through Great Britain's experience. 

JAPANESE SPECIAL FINANCE MISSION. 
We are preparing for the visit to this City on November 23d of a special Japanese 
Finance Mission consisting of Baron Magata and his distinguished colleagues, all special- 
ists in financial, industrial and governmental affairs. They will be welcomed on that 
day by the Mayor and a reception committee at the City Hall. 

PUBLICITY. 

The Committee desires to thank the press for its cooperation with us in making our 
facilities known, and particularly for conveying to the public emergency information on 
a large scale (as in draft and recruiting matters) which otherwise could not have reached 
the people. 

PENDING AND FUTURE ACTIVITIES. 

It has been the experience of the Committee, as this report indicates, that the 
number and importance of its operations grow daily. From an organization devoted 
to agitation for national preparedness we have become an integral, though not strictly 
official, part of the national, state and municipal war machine. 

Some idea has been given of the work done by the Committee at the time of the 
first draft. We are now facing the second draft, a more highly organized and complex 
problem. If called upon again, we shall be glad to serve as before. 

We are prepared to continue our broad campaign for the Americanization of oui" 
alien residents. We are prepared to continue a public discussion of the issues of the 
war in support of the President. We are prepared to continue as a clearing house and 
coordinating force for local patriotic activities. We are prepared to continue our in- 
tensive recruiting campaign, and the Bureau of Information for the families of men in 
the service. We are prepared to continue our fight for the proper recognition of the 
importance of the industrial problem. The Committee on Industry and Employment is 
preparing a fuller report. We are prepared to continue our fight against the menace 
of the enemy alien. 

We hope to turn the attention of the employers of this neighborhood to the prob- 
lem which will confront them when our men come back from the front, to the end 
that these men may have preference in employment. 

And finally we shall, as in the past, hold ourselves in readiness to undertake such 
duties as may be laid upon us by the Government of the United States, the State of 
New York and the City of New York. 



Respectfully, 



T. L. CHADBOTJEira, Jr., 

Chairman. 
For the Executive Committee. 



New York, November 21st, 1917. 



Appendix 

Reports of Treasurer, Director, Committees 
and Departments 



Dated on average Nov. 15-21, 1917 



and presented to Thomas L. Chadbourne.Jr. 

Chairman of the Executive Committee 

and of the General Committee 



Report of Treasurer to Close of Business, November 21, 1917 

LEWIS L. CLARKE, Treasurer 
H. N. ARMSTRONG, Assistant Treasurer 

Receipts 

Amount collected to date through Treasurer $100,328.53 

Amounted collected to date by Borough Committees: 

Brooklj.-n 2,368.95 

Bronx 692.00 

Queens 617.50 

Richmond 5.00 

Amount collected towards use of automobiles 2,225.00 

Amount collected for Film Account 250.00 

Reimbm-sement by City of New York on account Military Cen.sus. . . 21,752.88 

Reimbursement by City of New York on account Sundry expenses. . . 56,228.39 

Balance from Original and Mobilization Accounts 7,081.60 

$191,549.85 
Disbursements 

Total Expenses to Last Meeting Nov. 14, 1917 S175, 187.15 

Bills paid since last meeting to date 4,557.14 

$179,744.29 
Balance in Treasurer's account in American Exchange National Bank, 

N. Y 9,436.61 

Balance in People's Trust Co., Brooklyn, N. Y., Brooklyn Division, 

Finance Committee of Mayor's Committee on National Defense 2,368.95 



$191,549.85 



Recapitulation of Payments Account Respective Committees 

AUen $ 6,455.55 

Bronx 2,550.45 

Brooklyn 1,951.88 

Clearing House for Employment Office 1,546.51 

Film Account 1,500.00 

Declaration Account 33,548.45 

Head Office 56,698.68 

Hospital and Medical 251.26 

Industri' and Employment 695.00 

Military Census 27,173.34 

Organizations 1,634.26 

Queens 534.40 

Recruiting 43,015.87 

Richmond 50.00 

Speakers 2, 138.64 

$179,744.29 
Alien Account 

Cash .1; 220.00 

Postage 40.00 

Printing and Stationery 1,144.18 

♦Salaries 3,389.98 

Simdries 1,077.79 

"Salaries, Special Fund 583.60 $ 6,455.55 

Bronx Account 

Postage $ 9.98 

Printing and Stationery 239.58 

Simdries 1,132.43 

Telephone and Telegraph 217.96 

♦Salaries 950.50 2,550.45 

Brooklyn Account 

Cash $ 58.60 

Printing and Stationery 484.37 

Simdries 1,098.67 

Telephone and Telegraph 65.43 

♦Salaries 244.81 1,951.88 



* No reinbursement of salaries of the Committee employees was asked from or obtained from the City. 

15 



Clearing House for Employment Office 

Printing and Stationery $ 919.53 

Sundries 626.98 1,546.51 

Film Accotjnt 

Underwriting 1,500.00 

Declaration Accoxtnt 

Cash $ 1,069.25 

Postage 145.66 

Printing and Stationery 27,044.61 

Sundries 1,555.38 

Telephone and Telegraph 560.40 

Typewriter Supplies 64.50 

*Salaries 3,108.65 33,548.45 

First and Original Account 

Cash $ 336.79 

Conference of Mayors at St. Louis 2,000.00 

Hon. Henry Curran 1,000.00 

Postage 33.00 

Printing and Stationery 1,011.40 

Sundries 65.82 

Telephone 169.75 

*Salaries 2,860.00 7,476.76 

Head Office Account 

Cash $ 1,065.00 

Postage 213.24 

Printing and Stationery 5,370.38 

Sundries 25,152.07 

Telephone and Telegraph 2,075.09 

Typewriter Supplies 44.75 

*Salaries 22,778.15 56,698.68 

Hospital and Medical Accounts 

Cash $ 198.45 

Printing and Stationery 52.81 251.26 

Industry and Employment Account 

Cash $ 21.80 

Sundries 64.88 

*Salaries 608.32 695.00 

Military Census 

Cash $ 213.63 

Postage 270.83 

Printing and Stationery 20,575.89 

Sundries 4,011.99 

Telephone and Telegraph 2,101.00 27,173.34 

Mobilization Account 

Cash $ 1,664.57 

Postage 359.23 

Printing and Stationery 1,734.08 

Sundries 545.58 

Telephone and Telegraph 22.52 

Typewriter Supplies 107.79 

♦Salaries 5,233.99 9,667.76 

Organizations Account 

Printing and Stationery $ 81.67 

Sundries 118.32 

Telephone and Telegraph 9.27 

♦salaries 1,425.00 1.634.26 

Queens Account 

Cash $ 257.62 

Printing and Stationery 71.28 

Sundries 205.50 534.40 



* No reinbursement of salaries of the Committee employes was asked from or obtained from the City. 

16 



Recruiting Account 

Cash $ 784.45 

Postage 302.50 

Printing and Stationery 13,933.88 

Sundries 11,696.66 

Telephone and Telegraph 3,582.41 

♦salaries 12,705.22 

Typewriter Supplies 10.75 43,015.87 

Richmond Account 

Cash $ 25.00 

Printing and Stationery 25.00 50.00 

Speakers Account 

Printing and Stationery $ 95.09 

Sundries 275.33 

Telephone and Telegraph 16.32 

'Salaries 1,751.90 2,138.04 

Total .$196,888.81 

Expenses Original Accooiit % 7,47U.7S 

Expenses MobiMzation Account 9,667.76 17,144.52 

Total $179,744.29 

Report of Director 

PHILIP J. McCOOK 

I have the honor to submit herewith ruy report as Director of the Mayor's Committee on National 
Defense. 

It is not for me to recite the history of the Committee, and I mention no activity which took place 
before my connection with it, which began about February 15, 1917. 

Declaration to President 
After the break in diplomatic relations with Germany it was believed that a declaration to the Presi- 
dent of the sentiment of the citizens of New York might be useful and effective with Congress. The fol- 
lowing statement was therefore prepared: 

"To the President of the United States: 

As an American, faithful to American ideals of justice, Uberty and hiimanity, and confident 
that the Government has exerted its most earnest efforts to keep us at peace with the world, I 
hereby declare my absolute and unconditional loyalty to the Government of the United States 
and pledge my support to you in protecting American rights against unlawful violence upon land 
and sea, in guarding the Nation against hostile attacks, and in upholding international right." 
These documents were printed by the himdreds of thousands, distributed for circulation among 
churches, schools, hotels, stores, offices and in many other pubUc and private places, as well as in the news- 
papers. At the end of three weeks a million signatures had been obtained and were sent to the President 
following a telegram on April 2nd, in which the fact was announced. The signing of these declarations 
stimulated the patriotism of the commimity and conveyed its views to the authorities at Washington. 

Headquarters Organization 

Up to this time there had been no oflBce or organized office staff, the few employes of the Committee 
being used as occasion offered in the City HaU, the Municipal Building and (for the purposes of the Declara- 
tions) at 50 East 42nd Street. When war broke out, however, it became evident that the need for the 
permanent services of such a Committee was great and urgent and that a staff must be organized. Ac- 
cordu:gly two large rooms were taken at the Mimlcipal Bioilding, and an office force employed. It is the 
work of this force for general purposes, and of the Director for certain special purposes, first tmder Mr. 
Straight and later under yourself as Chairman, which this report wiU attempt to cover. 

The duty of the Director was first to organize and then supervise the work of the headquarters staff, 
to furnish assistance to the various special and borough committees, to co-ordinate the work of the com- 
mittee secretaries located at headquarters, and personally to take charge of various special or emergent 
activities — all, of course, under the Executive Committee. 

About Jime 1st, 1917, owing to lack of space, offices were temporarily rented in the Stewart Bmld- 
ing, and soon after October 1st headquarters were moved to the Hall of Records, where the space now 
occupied was offered by the City and became available. 

At the time of this last removal the persormel of the staff was as follows- Benjamin M. Day (form- 
erly General Secretary) Assistant Director, Hamilton Owens (formerly Secretary to the Chairman) 
General Secretary, W. L. Randall, Secretary Committee on Organizations, WiUiam Franklin Edwards, 
Secretary Committee on Speakers and War Instruction, Lewis K. Brown, Secretary Committee on Re- 
cruiting, Joseph E. See, Secretary Committee on Aliens, J. B. BueU, Secretary Committee on Industry 

* No reinbursement of salaries of the Committee employes was asked from or obtained from the City. 

17 



and Employment, Heber Blankenhorn, in charge of Publicity Department, Edward B. Cochems in charge 
of Transportation Department, Waldemar Kops in charge of Draft Information Bureau. G. Osgood An- 
drews, in charge of Film Bureau, C. H. Mellon, in charge Joint Information Bureau of Red Cross and 
Mayor's Committee and J. P. Fitzpatrick, head stenograplier. Messrs. Kops, Mellon and Andrews are 
volunteers. The Departments and Bureaus mentioned do not fall imder any particular committee, but 
perform special work under the Director and co-operate with the appropriate committees. Mr. Day has 
since resigned as Assistant Director, and his work has been divided among other members of the staff, 
notably A. E. Sheehan, now Secretary to the Director. Each committee and department has one or more 
stenographic or clerical assistants, and there is a sraaU headquarters staff of stenographers, typists, clerks 
and office boys. We have also the valued help of a changing force of volunteer helpers, ranging from half 
a dozen in normal times to many times that number in cases of emergency. 

General Work 

The general activities of the Committee and the particular specialized activities will appear more 
appropriately under the report of the Executive Committee and the separate reports of committees, de- 
partments and bureaus. 

A Home Defense Committee 

Like the Governor of the State, the Mayor of the City was at an early date con-vinced of the neces- 
sity of a State Census, and supported the bill then before the Legislature. At that time it was by no means 
certain that there would be a Federal Draft, but imder e.dsting legislation the State authorities were bound 
to prepare themselves for State conscription, which is authorized by such law, and to learn the State's 
resources. This and other considerations developed by the war decided the Governor to form a Resource 
Mobilization Bureau and to summon representatives from the various counties to a conference in Albany. 
This conference was attended by the Director with other representatives of the City who showed that 
the Mayor's Committee on National Defense being an existing body, should be the Home Defense Com- 
mittee for the five coimties constituting Greater New York. From that time on the Mayor's Committee 
on National Defense has been recognized as the Home Defense Committee for Greater New York, under 
the State Resource MobiUzation Bureau, now the State Defense Coxmcil, which in turn is under the Coimcil 
of National Defense. 

State Census 

At the conference just described the various Home Defense Committees were asked to co-operate 
with the State authorities in the coming Census. Under the law Mr. E. P. Goodrich was appointed Direc- 
tor for New York City, and became a State official. For that reason the projected Census Committee 
was never organized, nor is there any report from Mr. Goodrich herewith submitted. This Committee, 
however, records with pride the part we played in assisting the Census takers. It is estimated that under 
the head of transportation alone we furnished free the equivalent in time value of $45,000 in pleasure 
automobiles, trucks and buses. Witiiout this assistance the distribution of the many tons of cards and 
documents would have been impossible. We also helped furnish volunteers for the whole Census. Nor 
did our work end with the completion of the Census. Through the Merchants' Association and the Chamber 
of Commerce we furnished volunteers to the Military State Census Bureau in the tabulation of its records 
and the preparation of its card inde.x system. From its list of three million, tlu-ee himdred thousand men 
and women the State has repeatedly furnished to the United States Government names of persons desired 
as members of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, or as civil employes from many fields, as is more fully 
set out in the report of the Recruiting Committee. 

Federal, Registration 
Responding to a request from the Secretary of War, in the latter part of April, the Governor called 
upon the Mayor to submit a plan for taking the Registration imder the projected Draft law. The Direc- 
tor was asked by the Mayor to draw such a plan, and after conferences with the Governor and the Adju- 
tant General did so. It was telegraphed to the Governor and accepted in full by the War Department. 
The scheme was for a City-wide Board of Control with Borough and Assembly District Boards, and, of 
course. Election District Registrars. It was at that time contemplated to continue the Registration 
Boards as Draft Exemption bodies. Everything moved smootlily on Registration Day, June 5th, and the 
names of about 600,000 persons in Greater New York were quietly taken within twenty-four hours. On 
the afternoon of Registration Day we furnished at an hour's notice 150 volunteers, caUing on our 
local banks and clubs. The reports of the Speakers and Aliens Committees and the Transportation De- 
partment will show how the ground was prepared by patriotic meetings and activities, again with the 
help of the cars furnished by patriotic citizens. 

The Selective Draft 
The law of May 18th upset all calculations for the continuation of the Registration Boards by creat- 
ng sub-divisions of 30,000 population, each to be presided over by a board of three persons, required to 
be residents of the respective sub-divisions. The law also provided specifically for only one other ofiQcial 
body to conduct the Draft, namely, the District Board. Oiu- plans were necessarily adjusted accordingly. 
The Adjutant General of the State with our assistance worked out the boimdaries of the sub-divisions 
and also joined us in requesting that the District Board, unlike any other locahty in the United States, 
might cover the Greater City of New York as a whole, instead of the Southern and Eastern Judicial Dis- 
tricts, which are partly in and partly out of the City. The Governor and the Mayor called upon the Com- 
mittee to suggest nominations for members of the Local Boards; this was done on consultation with the 
Judges who had been serving on the respective Borough Registration Boards. Similarly in the filling of 
all vacancies since occurring, the advice of the Committee has been asked. At the suggestion of the 

18 



"War Committee of the Bar, the Legal Aid Society was asked to open, and did open, a Draft Informa- 
tion Bureau on the East Side, also oflering all its existing offices for similar purposes. At the same time a 
Draft Information Bureau was opened in charge of a volunteer and assisted by four other volimteers, and 
has been ever since operated at these headquarters, often under high pressure. 

Under the Selective Draft Law the organization of the Boards and the execution of the Draft were 
functions left wholly to the members of the Local Boards. This Committee had no authority to inter- 
fere with them in any way. Nevertheless, representing the Mayor and in aid of the Adjutant General 
we offered our services for all purposes, and on July 12th, when the special representative of the Adju- 
tant General's office at Albany came to New York to take local charge, the organization of the Boards 
was already, with the help of almost om- entire staff, 80 per cent complete. We turned over om- office, 
and substantially our whole office force to this representative for two weeks, when the worst rush was 
over. Even after that time, however, the v.'ork of our Draft Information Bm-eau and of the Director and 
Assistant Director as imofflcial assistants to the Boards has continued. We prepared Draft maps, which 
have been the sole source of information as to tlie location in New York City of individual registrants; 
we obtained the co-operation of the Board of Education and others in securing headquarters for the Local 
Boards and helped arrange their telephone connections ; we prepared Usts of names, addi'esses and tele- 
phone numbers and supphed these to the officials interested. 

At the height of the Draft we advised between a thousand and two thousand individuals daily, the 
inquiries coming personally, by letter, telegram and telephone, not only from the Greater City, but from 
practically the entire country. As the present Draft has approached its close, of course our labors have 
much decreased, but we have frequently received at one time in batches of from fifty to five himdred regis- 
tration cards to be distributed, on short notice, among the various Local Boards. Witliin the past few 
weeks the work has again greatly increased in volume. I am unable to mention here all the dozens of 
volunteers, men and women, who helped us day and night at headquarters; still less the hundreds who 
assisted outside. However, I must name Miss Moskowitz and Messrs. Ives, Herzfeld. Rosebery and 
Wright, for specially self-sacrificing and successful labors. 

I wish to record my appreciation of the splendid work of the Federal Bureau under the Adjutant 
General, and especially of Major F. S. Hutchinson, in general charge, and of Mr. Roger B. Wood, the 
representative in charge for New York City. 

National Guard Send Off 

When it was suggested that there should be a ".send-off" for the National Guard this Committee 
offered its services to Major General O'Ryan, commanding. We built a large grandstand in front of the 
Public Library for the National Guard, their famihes, representatives of the National, State and local 
Governments and foreign countries; we arranged with the Police Department for special badges and 
special places on the sidewalk for the families of officers and soldiers, and successfully appealed through 
posters and otherwise to the public to give them preference; we decorated the grandstand, provided a 
band for it, and arranged with the Fifth Avenue and Broadway Associations and ttirough the public press 
for general decoration of the City in honor of the event; we also secured numerous boy scouts to act as 
aides, ushers, etc. In the evening, at the request of Mr. A. J. Hemxihill, a large number of moving picture 
houses thi-ew open their places of entertainment to all men in the imiform of the Guard. The Commit- 
tee's successful part in the arrangements of this day was in charge of a special committee of which Mr. 
Stephen N. Bond was Chairman. 

National x\rmy Day 

In answer to the request of the National authorities, the Mayor declared September 4th National 
Army Day, and this Committee undertook a celebration in honor of the Drafted men. This consisted 
of a parade on Fifth Avenue for Manhattan, Queens and Richmond, and in Brooklyn and the Bronx for 
those Boroughs. The Bronx parade was orgam'zed by our Bronx Committee, and the Brooklyn parade 
by a special committee appointed at our instance by the "Brooklyn Eagle." Tliis office was in particular 
charge of the Manhattan parade. Paraders in all boroughs were supplied with appropriate brassards, 
which have since been used by the various Exemption Boards in mobilization. More than thirty bands 
were supplied gratis through the special com-tesy of the New York Musicians' Union. In the afternoon, 
at the suggestion and with the co-operation of the "New York World" and through the generosity of the 
New York Baseball Club, a baseball game between the New York and Boston National nines was played 
with free admission to drafted men, to whom refreshments were also served by this Committee. In the 
evening many entertainments were supphed by affiliated organizations. AU arrangements for tliis day 
were in charge of the Committee on Organizations, except that Mr. Bond again had charge of the parade 
and the grandstand. 

Liberty Loan 

The organization of the first Liberty Loan was not very higWy developed, and the Mayor's Com- 
mittee was not then so thoroughly organized, though we did furnish some volimteers, transportation and 
other help. For the second Liberty Loan, as appears in greater detail in the various Committee, Depart- 
ment and Bureau reports, this committee played a very important part. Probably an average of two 
hours a day of the Director's time was devoted to this work throughout the second campaign. Incident- 
ally it may be said that practically every member of the staff subscribed. We built the stand for the 
Liberty Loan Day Parade, and paid half the expense, beside furnishing most of the bands, gratis. 

Special British Mission 
The Special Mission of the British Ministry of Munitions, which had been invited by the United 
States Government to visit this country, reached New York City on November 8th. This Committee 
was called on by the Council of National Defense and the State Defense Council to make arrangements 

19 



so that the Mission might meet all the employers, labor, educational and official bodies likely to be bene- 
fited by conference. Accordingly a full program was prepared, consisting of four conferences Avith groups 
of employers (thi'ough the courtesy of the Merchants' Association), two with groups of labor representa- 
tives, one with State officials, one with industrial educators, one with representatives of women in industry, 
and one with the members of the Exemption Local and District Boards. In addition, the Committee ar- 
ranged for the initial reception by the Mayor and the Committee at the City Hall, gave a luncheon in 
honor of the four members of the Mission, and co-operated with various other bodies, including the Cham- 
ber of Commerce, the Editorial Conference, the New York Committee on Industrial Training of the 
Council of National Defense and the United Engineering Society in offering special hospitality. The 
object of the Mission was to furnish to the people of the United States information drawn from the ex- 
perience of Great Britain with man-power in the war. The problems discussed were labor problems of 
the most serious character, and the importance of the v-isit and what it accomplished in New York can- 
not be overestimated. 

Japanese Special Mission 

The Special Imperial Japanese Finance Mission is visiting this City on November 2.3rd, and on be- 
half of the City Government this Committee is preparing a reception in honor of the members at the 
City HaU, and planning to furnish whatever courtesies and facilities may prove acceptable during their 
ensuing stay. 

Welfare of Soldiers and Sailors 

We take particular pride and interest in the young men who go out from this city, either as volun- 
teers or drafted men, to serve in the Army and Navy. The United States Government has provided a 
Commission which has special charge of their welfare. However, in innimierable ways, and many times 
daily we find opportunities to serve them and their families. To give an important example, we were 
asked in September by the Mayor in response to a request by General Bell to investigate and advise on 
the project for an Auditorium at Camp Upton. We requested a committee of architects, headed by 
Mr. Grosvenor Atterbury to visit the camp and report, and in thiis report were able to reach constructive 
suggestions on the basis of a campaign for the Camp Upton Commimity Hall, to seat ten to twenty 
thousand soldiers. 

The various committees reports offer further examples, often important, of our desire to serve our 
defenders. I refer particularly to the information given constantly by its Recruiting Committee, the 
innumerable special services of the Transportation Department, the work of the Draft Information 
Bureau and the Joint Bureau with the Red Cross, and the plans made for National Guard Day and 
National Army Day. 

Miscellaneous 

The Mayor has more and more, as the war progressed, referred to this Committee aU civiUan war 
activities and questions, except those particularly indicated as belonging to some special department, 
for example the Police or the Fire Department. As this has become known the Committee has developed 
to a constantly greater extent into a clearing house for civilian war activities and questions in the City 
of New York. It is treated as a bureau of advice and information, not only by the pubUc, but by many 
public departments, Federal, State and Municipal. It has also become a place where complaints are 
lodged, particularly against persons said to be disloyal or slackers. Information received of the latter 
character is at once forwarded to the United States Atorneys in New York or Brooklyn, or to other proper 
authority. There is, of course, close co-operation in all respects with the United States Marshal, the 
Military and Naval authorities, the Secret Service of the Department of Justice and the Police Depart- 
ment. 

Report of the Recruiting Committee 

ALEXANDER J. HEMPHILL, Chairman 
LEWIS K. BROWN, Secretary 

The Recruiting Committee has been co-operating with the Recruiting Officers of all branches of 
the National Service — Army, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard and subsidiary branches, for the 
stimulation of enlisting. 

The methods employed include military parades, patriotic rallies, street meetings, advertising, 
posters and newspaper publicity. 

The more important mass meetings have been held in Madison Square Garden, Metropolitan Opera 
House, Cooper Union, Carnegie Hall and two National Guard Armories. 

The Committee has not only distributed many thousands of posters for recruiting offices which 
lacked adequate means of distribution, but has supplemented the small number of posters furnished these 
offices by the United States government by printing upwards of one hundred and seventy-flve thousand 
posters and one htmdied thousand wind-shield and window cards. In addition to the issuance of several 
hundred thousand recruiting cards for the use of recruiting officers, the Committee has issued one himdred 
thousand leaflets, giving authoritative detailed information regarding all branches of the service, number 
of men needed, etc. 

The Sub-Committee on Union Square Recruiting Station has erected in the Park at Union Square, 
through funds provided by popular subscription, the Battleslaip "Recruit," of a length approximately 
one-third that of the "Arizona." This ship has been manned by the United States Navy with a Captain 
and crew, and is the center of naval recruiting in New York City. 

The Sub-Committee on Recruiting Battalion of Service Men, after organizing a Recruiting Battalion 
of fifteen hundred men who had seen service imder the government, covered one himdred and twenty-flve 

20 



recruiting meetings, held under the auspices of political, labor, fraternal, civic and social organizations, 
and conducted about the same number of street meetings. 

The Sub-Committee on Church Organizations issued a call for co-operation to all the Churches of 
Greater New York and conducted a brief automobile speaking campaign. 

The Committee co-operated with the British Recruiting Mission in the carrying out of their pro- 
gram during "British Recruiting Week," when armed Canadian troops with bands and pipers visited New 
York. The week showed an increase of one hundred per cent enlistments in the British Service. 

About the first of August, enlistments reached a height that flUed the required quota for the Army. 
Navy and Marines, and shortly after that, the National Guard regiments attained approximate war 
strength. Tlie recruiting offices of the Marine Corps were closed, and the carrying out of the draft law 
cut Army enhstments down to a very low ebb. 

The situation today in the Navy and Marine Corps is tliat the authorized strength has been reached, 
several thousand men have been enMsted without express authority of Congress, the men now being re- 
ceived being actually "reserves", although they are not called such. 

The coming Congress will be asked to authorize immediate enlistment of 20,000 men for the Marine 
Corps, and 50,000 for the Navj\ No pubUc announcement of this is possible under e.xisting circumstances, 
but the total enlistment of the "reserves" mentioned has probably reached 10,000 to 15,000 in these two 
branches of the service. 

The United States Naval Reserves are taking men for certain specified duties with cortaia specified 
limits as to number. 

The Army Recruiting situation requires separate treatment. The analysis of the draft men already 
in camp has proven that, outside of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, the draft men cannot entirely meet 
the demands of modern warfare. In view of this, regulations have been so framed as to admit the enHstment 
of volunteers in the National Army for certain specified branches xmder various sections of the Engineer and 
Signal Corps, namely the Camouflage Section, the Gas and Flame Section, the Ordnance Corps, the Avia- 
tion Section, and the Quartermaster Corps. Nine thousand men are wanted immediately for the estab- 
lishment and maintenance of repair shops for guns, ranging in size from sidearms to heavy artillery. In 
the Aviation Section, sixteen men on the ground are required for every man in the air. Men of the highest 
degree of skill are required as well as "handy men" and common laborers. The Quartermaster Corps 
has made a corresponding demand for men whose training will fit them for the handling of the business 
of the Army. 

When the United States first entered the war, recruiting consisted of a "rush to the colors." The 
draft law has taken care of the bulk of the Army, and the past weeks have seen the regular Army Recruit- 
ing Service gradually transformed into a machine to obtain especially quaUfled men for especially definite 
duties. 

The efforts wliich this Committee is putting forth now and plans for the futiu-e, are not solely along 
the line of the stimulation of patriotism, but to give pubhcity to the various needs of the Service, and 
stimiilate a patriotic impulse "plus," which will result in the voluntary enlistment, not of a large number 
of men, but of a smaller number of speciaUzed and technical experts, without whom the war cannot be won. 
To meet the existing conditions, the Committee has planned a poster campaign, not of highly colored 
lithographs, but of information regarding men urgently needed. Posters designed for placing upon fences, 
buildings, etc., will be made as different from posters heretofore used in the campaign as possible, with 
simple but striking designs subordinated to the subject matter, and the subject matter short and sharp. 
The assistance of the firm responsible for the Food Administration posters has been volimtarily offered 
to the Committee in the work. 

A window card campaign has been planned to be done in attractive type, designed by the same firm, 
to constitute a bulletin for weekly change so that the public can be appraised of the need of photographers, 
stenographers, camouflage men, etc. Each bulletin will advertise not more than three kinds of speciaUsts 
wanted. This campaign is deemed essential because of the impossibiUty of obtaining space in the papers 
for recruiting caUs, due to its slight news value, and the prohibitive cost of advertising space necessary 
to bring the facts to general public notice. 

Special posters are to be printed — calling for special men — in quantities from 1,500 to 2,000, and placed 
on fences and buildings. 

Strongly supplementary to this campaign, it is proposed to reach individuals through bulletins and 
appeals to organizations. This means labor unions, as weU as associations and societies, covering, so far 
as possible, aU speciaUzed trades needed for war service. 

Recognizing the necessity for the enUstment of every man above and below the draft age who feels 
the impiflse to enter the war, a plan has been put into operation for the correction of sUght physical de- 
fects, and for the developing of men imder weight and with insxifflcient chest expansion so their applica,- 
tions may be accepted. 

The first is being accomplished through the co-operation of the hospitals of New York City, eight 
of which are accepting patients for treatment or sUght operations upon the recommendation of examin- 
ing physicians, this Committee acting as intermediary to follow the man up from the time of his applica- 
tion xmtil he has received treatment and is ready for service. 

The second class — the vmder-weight men — are to be looked after with the active co-operation of the 
athletic authorities of the Y. M. C. A. This plan is now being worked out, and will probably resiflt in the 
estabUshment, at convenient armories, of evening classes furnishing a course of indeterminate length, 
consisting of light physical and breathing exercises and lectures on diet and care of the body. It is ex- 
pected that this coiu-se wUI result in the addition of the necessary chest expansion or the putting on of the 
few pounds of weight essential to acceptance for enlistment. 

Weekly inspections by commissioned officers will be a factor in this course, and a premium will be 
placed upon the speed with which a candidate shall graduate and "make" the Army. This plan has been 

21 



approved by the War Committee of the Y. M. C. A., and wiU have the earnest co-operation of their or- 
ganization. 

This Committee has provided in its office a clearing house for information relating to all branches 
of the Service, and appeals for advice are daily Increasing. 

In conclusion, the Committee feels that its real work began when the draft army was created, and 
that its fxmction then changed from patriotic propaganda to intensive super-publicity, aimed at the in- 
dividual and not the mass, the technical man and not the fighter. 

Report of the Committee on Industry and Employment 

PERCY STICKNEY GRANT, Chairman 
J. B. BUELL, Secretary 

Organization and Purposes 
The Committee on Industry and Employment was organized the latter part of May, with Professor 
Henry R. Seager of Columbia University as Chairman. It arose from a recognition by the Mayor of the 
seriousness of the industrial problem in its relation to an efficient prosecution of the war. At its original 
meeting the purposes of the Committee were stated as three-fold : 

1. To co-ordinate existing employment bureaus so that they may meet more perfectly the special 
demands growing out of the war. 

2. To assist in maintaining standards of health and eflBciency among wage earners. 

3. To aid in the settlement of labor disputes and to imdertake other general problems which might 
be referred to it by the Mayor. 

The Joint Committee 

In order to assure co-operation between this Committee and the Sub-Committees dealing with In- 
dustrial Problems of the Mayor's Committee of Women on National Defense a Joint Conamittee with 
representatives from the Men's Committee and from the Women's Committee on Industry and the Women's 
Committee on Employment was organized. Professor Seager became chairman and the Secretary of the 
Men's Committee has acted as Secretary of the Joint Committee. Matters of policy affecting each of the 
separate Committees have always been referred to the Joint Committee, and it has been a most effective 
working body. 

Under its supervision and through the immediate direction of the Women's Committee on Employ- 
ment, a Clearing House for Employment OflQces was almost immediately organized, with the view of 
bringing together in closer co-operation the thirty or forty pubUc and philanthropic employment bureaus 
dealing mainly with Women and Girls. The advantages of such a move were evident. By a transfer of 
the surplus calls of one bureau to the surplus appUcants of another, the clientele of all the co-operating 
agencies were made available both to employers and applicants. Instead of a decentraUzed and inade- 
quate employment machinery for New York City the Clearing House idea contained the possibiUty of 
developing a centrahzed and adequate machinery. In working out the detailed organization of the Clear- 
ing House, the Chairman and Secretary foimd it necessary to spend considerable time in aiding the Women's 
Committee, and were able to be of considerable assistance in putting, it in a sound working basis. 

The Employment Clearing House 

The Men's Committee were convinced of the necessity for a Clearing House on a larger scale which 
could handle calls from the Men's as well as the Women's Bureaus. A survey of the larger Men's bureaus 
was made and the result included in a report to the Chairman. It was decided to ask the State Defense 
Council to finance the project with $10,000 and the Mayor's Committee with $5,000, When this had 
been obtained it was plarmed to combine with the Women's Clearing House and put the whole project 
under the supervision of the State Bureau of Employment, representing the State Defense Council, and 
the Joint Committee on Industry and Employment representing the City. 

These plans have been carried out and the combined Clearing House for Employment Oflaces is 
now in operation at 44 East 23rd Street, under the direction of Mr. Morris L. Ernst, a member of the 
Men's Committee. The advantages of combination have been evident from the start. The present Clear- 
ing House has been doing between two and three times the business done previously by the Women. Since 
October 1st, it has received 1,759 orders for 3,674 people in both the male and female department. 651 
people are known to have been placed through its efforts. Several large government orders have been 
handled directly, and in at least one instance, labor which had been temporarily engaged on a govern- 
ment cantonment was shifted to other industries with a minimum loss of unemployment. Besides this, 
the Clearing Hoiise has been active not only in opening new Bureaus, but in strengthening those with 
which it is working. 

Federal Employment Bill 

As a result of the local situation the committee was impressed with the need for an adequate Federal 
Employment service as a necessary war measure. Accordingly in co-operation with the Legislative Draft- 
ing Department of Colmnbia University, a comprehensive bill, providing for a National Employment 
Service was drawn up and submitted to the U. S. Department of Labor. It received their approval, and 
was also adopted by the American Association for Public Employment Offices. The bill will be intro- 
duced at the next session of Congress. 

Fire Inspection 

Early in July, at the request of the State Defense CoimcD, the Committee organized a Bureau of 
Fire Inspection in charge of Mr. F. J. T. Stewart, of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters, for the 

22 



purpose of making a continuous inspection of Are hazard in all food warehouses and plants working on 
government contracts. Mr. ntowart has volunteered not only his service, but those of about 25 trained 
inspectors working under him. The work which has been done is of a most excellent character. 750 per- 
sonal inspections have been made up to the present time. In 280 of these, unfavorable conditions were 
found, and specific recommendations made to the plant owner. It is known that in at least 90 per cent 
of these the necessary corrections have been made. 

Recently, as a result of his investigation, Mr. Stewart has reported that most of the private guarding 
schemes are inadequate, and that his inspectors have had little trouble in approaching the plant unmolested 
and un(iuestioned. He strongly recommends in view of this fact and in view of several recent fires, that 
uniformed guards be placed by some military authority. We took the matter up with the War Depart- 
ment and have been assured by Secretary Baker that it will receive immediate consideration by his mili- 
tary advisers. Since then we learn that the most important plants of the water front in and adjoining 
New York are to receive additional military protection. 

Soldiers and Sailors Insurance Bill 

Professor Seager was several times called to Washington by the Treasury Department and by Judge 
Mack to confer on the Soldiers and Sailors Insixrance Bill, which was passed at this last session. Some 
of its essential provisions are the results of recommendations made by him. 

The Board of Control op Labor Standards for Army Clothing Contracts 

During the summer complaints came to this Committee to the effect that contracts for Army 
clothing were not only being let under bad labor conditions, but that in the placing of these con- 
tracts, New York was being definitely discriminated against. An investigation sustained these com- 
plaints and the matter was, on the recommendation of the Committee, taken up with the Secretary of 
War by Mr. Chadbourne, and finally by the Mayor. As a result, Secretary Baker appointed a committee 
of three, authorized to supervise all Clothing Contracts which were let and empowered to veto any where 
conditions of labor were unsatisfactory as regards hoiirs, wages, etc. 

Mediation and Arbitration 

At the request of the Mayor the Committee has been instrumental in bringing about a satisfactory 
settlement in several recent local strikes. At the time of the Longshoremen's strike, we assisted the 
Federal Commission sent here for purposes of arbitration. During the milk strike the Secretary worked 
with Dr. Henry Moskowitz, Commissioner of Markets, who was acting as Mediator. A most satisfactory 
agreement was reached. 

In the recent butcher's strike we brought arguments to bear which has resulted in practically all of 
the strikers returning to work. 

British Ministry of Munitions 

During the last month the Committee has been especially active in helping to plan for the recent 
conferences with the special Mission from the British Ministry of Munitions. While the task was one 
which demanded the efforts of the entire force of the general Committee, their visit came particularly 
within the industrial field, and practically the whole of the Secretary's time was given to it. 

Co-operation with the Shipping Board 

At the request of the Shipping Board the Secretary recently conferred in Washington with their 
Industrial Service Department regarding the N. Y. shipbuilding program. We are impressed with the fact 
that some immediate step must be taken if the labor problem is not to handicap the whole general pro- 
gram. Tentative suggestions including the organization of an employers association, permanent agree- 
ments with labor oflicials — the use of our Employment Clearing House, training for speciaUzed work, 
and necessary general publicity have been sent to Washington and we trust may be the basis for con- 
structive work along tliis Une. 

The New Chairman 

The Rev. Percy Stickney Grant has recently been appointed chairman in place of Professor Seager, 
who resigned. John A. Fitch at Dr. Grant's request has accepted the Vice-Chairmanship. 

Future Activities 

Practically all of the activities of the Committee are continuous in their natiu-e, and will be of in- 
creased importance as the war develops. Our Clearing House, while organized as an independent bureau, 
continually consults us on matters of poUcy and the effective support of this committee is essential to 
any enlargement of their program. 

The work of the Bureau of Fire Inspection is likewise a continuous piece of work. The recommenda- 
tion now in the hands of the Secretary of War wiU probably entail a considerable increase in its 
activities and responsibilities, and it is obvious that danger from fire materially increases with the number 
of firms doing government work. 

The actual work of putting om- Federal Employment Bill through Congress wiU not begin until 
the next session. 

The importance of this and the amount of work involved in such an undertaking are plainly evident. 

Most important of all, however, is the development of our general industrial poUcy. The Committee 
feels that as yet this field has hardly been touched. The problems presented by the shipping board, for 
instance, have only recently arisen, and the field which they represent is not only vast, but one which is 
vitally necessary to the conduct of the war. 

23 



Labor unrest is only touched when we have acted in a mediatory capacity in individual strikes. We 
must, by gaining the confidence of labor leaders and the co-operation of employers, bring the two together, 
in not only the shipping industry, but in all other industries vitally connected with the conduct of the war. 

The Committee feels that we have only just begxm on this phase of the work, and that its future 
policy WMst be definitely and concretely shaped to this end. 

Report of Committee on Speakers and War Instruction 

ERNEST STAUFFEN, Chairman 
W. FRANKLIN EDWARDS, Secretary 

For the sake of clearness, I shall deal first with the formation of the Committee. An attempt was 
made to secure in as far as possible, men who represented parallel patriotic work and propaganda, men 
who could help seciu-e lists of speakers, men who could help in the organizing of meetings and who could 
faciUtate the rapid forming of series of meetings in schools, settlements, political clubs, etc. A represen- 
tative was suggested from each borough by the Chairman of the Mayor's Committee of that borough 
and a representative chosen from each Allied Committee of the Mayor's Committee that would be likely 
to need speakers. A conscious attempt was thus made to secure a committee that would in itself con- 
stitute a clearing house. 

Since July 19th, the occasion of the first meeting, the Mayor has accepted the resignation of the 
Chairman, Mr. George Brokaw Compton, who has gone to Plattsburg, and annoimced the appointment 
of Mr. Ernest Stauflen, Jr., as Chairman. 

The work of the Committee has in the main fallen under the following heads : 

1. Organizing of meetings and Campaigns and assigning of Speakers to the same. 

2. Distribution of Literatm*e on War Instruction. 

3. Co-operation when asked with other Patriotic Committees and organizations. 

4. The necessary office work, interviews, correspondence, etc., to co-ordinate the work in such a 

way as to make it effective and to avoid duplication of effort with other committees. 

Meetings — Speakers 

From Jime 14th to October 18th inclusive, 795 speakers have been assigned to 614 meetings. This 
does not include separate meetings and assignments from any other bureaus in any borough except Man- 
hattan, although speakers have been assigned from time to time to all boroughs; it does not mclude the 
speaking itineraries of ten speakers assigned the State Defense Coimcil for Loyalty Week, September 17th 
to 22nd ; it does not include the assignments of 200 speakers given the Liberty Loan Committee and re- 
leased from our lists for the month of October; nor does it include much of the assigning done to meetings 
outside Greater New York at the request of the National Security League and other organizations. All 
such assignments would be added to the above figures and would swell the totals very appreciably. They 
come, however, rather under the heading "Co-operative Work," the value and appreciation of which 
can only be judged from the letters of thanks in our files. We have assigned speakers to twenty states 
in all and to several great raUies in Canada. 

The meetings have been of every kind and description, indoor and outdoor, street comer, banquet, 
armored car, double decker bus, theatre, noonday shop and huge rally. The purposes have been as diverse, 
ranging from recruiting to explanations of "Why we are in the War," and patriotic propaganda, including 
benefits for Red Cross, War Library Biu-eau and Liberty Loans. Our speakers have won literally many 
hundreds of recruits for both army and navy. We have supplied from the first practically all the speakers 
for the U. S. S. Recruit which steadily has led other stations in mmiber of recruits applying and accepted. 
We suppUed almost aU the speakers for the final drive for the 23rd Regiment ia Brooklyn, when in one 
week 5,000 men appUed, of whom 900 were accepted and the 23rd left New York for Spartanburg the 
largest regiment that ever entrained from the city. At the present time we are supplying speakers for three 
recruiting buses and bands a day on torn- for the navy; supplying speakers for an Allied drive for recruits 
for the army; for a campaign to fill the Quartermaster's Corps and for a campaign of American pro- 
paganda among foreign bom, beside meeting the demand for speakers for an increasing number of local 
patriotic meetings. 

In the matter oJ War Literature we have distributed in all about 200,000 pieces furnished from 
Washington; several hundred copies of the booklet of instructions to yoimg soldiers, compiled by Major 
Gen. John F. O'Ryan and others; supplied our speakers with the suggestive Hand Book of the War, 
pubUshed by the National Security League, and mailed to our speakers 100 copies a day of the Official 
Bulletin, published by the Coromittee on Public Information. 

The responsibiUty of placing the Government films throughout Greater New York has also been 
assigned to this conunittee. These films show the Building of Army Cantonments, Hoover's Arm, Admiral 
Sims' Fleet, the Conquest of the Air, etc., etc. They are being released from Washington at the rate of 
two a week, and we are placing them as rapidly as possible on exhibition in Clubs, Churches, Schools and 
other non-commercial rallying points. 

In the matter of co-operation and advice we have been constantly called upon by the following 
organizations and occasions: Various AlMed Missions (British, French, Italian, etc.), American Midday 
Minute Men, U. S. Army (and Quartermasters), National Guard, Navy (U. S. S. Recruit), Marines, 
Liberty Loan, Red Cross, U. S. Food Administration, National Security League, American Defense So- 
ciety, League of Foreign Born Citizens, Neighborhood Associations, Settlements, Churches, Schools 

24 



(public and private). Port Society, Political Clubs (for speakers on patriotic subjects). Draft Boards, U. S. 
Registration, State Census, Aliens, Recruiting, Factories, Banquets, Fifth Avenue Association, 4th. of July, 
Theatres, National Special Aid Society, Militia of Mercy, Library War Bureau. 

All tills, of course, entails a considerable amount of office work and very many conferences and In- 
terviews, wliich of necessity are sandwiched in as closely as possible. Tliis work is carried on by the 
secretary with the assistance of a competent stenographer ; a man on part time and a stenographer for the 
Government Films; one volunteer on almost full time; and as many other volunteers as can be obtained 
from time to time; of course, the general stenographic and mimeographic machinery of the general com- 
mittee are at our disposal whenever necessary. 

The secretary is glad to report a splendid and constant co-operation from the various members of 
his committee whenever called upon; they have been most helpful with suggestions and in clearing up 
difflculties of various kinds. Our work just now is especially pressing on account of the great number of 
meetings and campaigns and on account of the change in the draft rules and the announcement of a second 
call for men in February. 

We are being pressed to arrange at once or as soon as possible, campaigns of meetings for recruits 
for the navy, and also the regular army. The heads of both departments have appealed to us directly 
and through the Committee on Recruiting to this end. They have also enrolled among our speakers and 
placed their services in that capacity at our disposal. The Liberty Loan Committee, while notifying us 
of their great appreciation of our past aid, have stated that they expect to call upon us more than ever 
during their next campaign. We have already had a conference with their speaker's director looking to 
that end. The U. S. Food Administration have also conferred with us several times and at length looking 
to close co-operation in their winter and spring campaigns. Various local organizations are now calling 
upon us for speakers on Americanization, who can win over and convince the aUen or those with alien 
tendencies. Much work remains to be done along this last hne. It is the place where the best brains 
should work during the coming month. 

There is much that could be done to enhance the efiEectiveness of our work. 

1. Classes might be conducted for the training of younger speakers— not in oratory of course — 

but in the real principles for which the nation stands and in the handling of a heck- 
ling crowd. 

2. A weekly or semi-monthly news letter to speakers would be of great value. 

3. The work of the various boroughs should be strengthened within the borough, while a con- 

siderable amount of work can be done from one central office. New York as a whole, 
is too vast and complex to be adequately served by any central patriotic committee 
without strong borough committees who imderstand the difflculties and problems of 
their own Communities. 

4. But most pressing of aU, more real propaganda work should at once be undertaken to counter- 

act the work of enemy aUens and to win over to a real American viewpoint those or 
our number who seem to be lacking in respect for things American, and for the honof 
of the nation. This can be done, I beUeve, in a very great majority of cases if handled 
rightly. 
These are only a few suggestions looking to improvement. 

Report of the Committee on Hospital and Medical Facilities 

S. S. GOLDWATER, M. D., Chairman 
J. J. WEBER, Secretary 

The Committee on Hospital and Medical Facilities began Its work by creating a central committee 
of twenty-one members representing the principal hospitals in the City, with Dr. S. 8. Goldwater as Chair- 
man and Mr. Joseph J. Weber as Secretary. In order to secure the co-operation of the hospitals through- 
out the City, a Coxmcil of Associated Hospitals was organized. This Council comprises representatives 
of all the hospitals in Greater New York with a capacity of one hundred or more beds. 

The Committee's first piece of work was to make a comprehensive survey of the emergency ward 
beds in pubUc and private hospitals which could be placed at the service of the U. S. Government. The 
information gathered by this survey was carefully classified, tabu lated and sent to the Army and Navy 
Departments, the American Red Cross, and the Council of National Defense. 

A sub-committee on Nursing, in co-operation with the New York County Chapter of the American 
Red Cross, standardized the training of volunteer nurses' aides for service in home hospitals. These 
standards received the approval of the American Red Cross. 

Because the Umited faciUtles at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for the care of cases of contagious diseases 
were early exhausted, the Navy Department appealed to this Committee for additional facilities. Through 
the Committee the contagious disease hospitals of the New York City Department of Health were placed 
at the service of the Navy Department. 

Through the efforts of the Committee, a number of volunteer physicians were furnished the British 
Recruiting Mission to assist in the examination of British recruits. 

The Committee has acted as a clearing house for the Bureau of Health and Hospitals of the Adju- 
tant General's Office, and has furnished that Bureau with information regarding the New York hospitals. 

The Committee has called the attention of the Board of Ambulance Service to the need of very defin- 
itely organized ambulance service throughout the City for the transportation of returned sick and wounded 

25 



soldiers and sailors, and has received the assurance of the Board of Ambulance Service of their co-opera- 
tion and of the possibility of focusing, at a given point, whatever ambulances may be needed to meet 
the emergency. 

At the request of the U. S. Navy Recruiting Station, the Committee has collected information from 
a number of hospitals as to their willingness to receive promising recruits for the treatment of minor physical 
defects which, if corrected, would make them eligible for service. 

With a \-iew to profiting by the experience of Canada in the care of rettirned disabled soldiers, the 
Chairman and the Secretary of the Committee made a visit to Toronto for the pui-pose of studying the 
military hospital situation there. 

Last simimer the Committee carried on a successful agitation for the temporary exemption of second, 
third and fourth year medical students and hospital internes, in the interests of the Army no less than of 
the civilian population. 

The Committee, after receiving the sanction of a majority of the hospitals comprising the Council 
of Associated Hospitals, entered into an agreement, as the respresentatives of those hospitals, with the 
Navy relative to rates of payment for enlisted men and officers. 

The Committee has sent a circular letter to all the medical schools of the country for the purpose 
of ascertaining the effect of the Selective Draft Law upon the enrolLment of first year medical students. 
The information gathered shows that, contrary to expectations, the schools with some few exceptions, 
have a largei enrollment of first year students than usual. The Committee feels that all the men who have 
just entered medical schools, following one or more years of special preparation for their medical studies, 
should be kept at their studies imtil they graduate; and should they begin to be called in large numbers 
for the second contingent of the National Army, the Committee plans to make an effort to secure their 
temporary exemption inasmuch as it feels that an uninterrupted supply of medical graduates is a military 
no less than a social necessity. 

Report of Committee on Aliens 

ARCHIBOLD E. STEVENSON, Chairman 
JOSEPH E. SEE, Secretary 

The Committee on Aliens submits heremth a report of its work since its organization on the 14th 
day of May, 1917: 

The Committee foimd the whole field of alien supervision and regulation uncharted at the time. 
About ten days after the formation of the Committee, preparations were made to acquaint aliens with 
the meaning of the draft registration and their duties in connection therewith. On the evening of June 
4th, about two Inmdred meetings were held under the auspices of the Committee throughout the districts 
where there were large numbers of alien residents. Two or three speakers were assigned to each meeting 
to explain the meaning of the Registration Act and the duties of aUens in connection therewith. These 
meetings contributed in large measure to the quiet and orderly registration that followed. 

Registration of Enemy Aliens 

Simultaneously came the order of the United States Marshals, imder the President's Proclamation, 
requiring the registration of all enemy aUens and the issuance of permits to them. The Committee believed 
that assistance in carrjnng out this function of the marshals would give them advantageotis knowledge 
of alien needs. It became known that at the Committee's oflQce assistance would be rendered in making 
out applications for permits. Thousands of enemy aliens took advantage of the assistance offered. 

Employment of Aliens 

This work was hardly completed when Marshal McCarthy issued an order forbidding enemy aliens 
to be employed on piers or on the water front. During the registration many enemy aliens were found 
to be unemployed. It was considered wiser to find employment for these men. The marshal's order, 
forbidding these men to be employed on piers and on the water front, threw a nimiber of others out of em- 
ployment. The Committee placed its own agent in the ofiQce of the State Employment Bureau in Brook- 
lyn, and brought about co-operation with the Employment Biu-eau of the Mayor's Citizens Advisory 
Committee. A number of enemy aliens were diverted from positions that were \mdesirable from otu* 
point of view, to positions that were safe. A certain amount of following-up was done to make sure that 
men were not idling, and persons who passed through our agencies who seemed suspicious or imwilling 
to work were reported to the proper authorities. 

Ascertaining the Attitude of Foreigners 

At the same time it became apparent that we needed to know what the alien populations in the city 
were saying among themselves, what they were thinking about, what kind of propaganda was being fed 
to them, what their opinions were on their relations to America, and their attitude toward the War. The 
Committee felt certain that its duty lay in the direction of strengthening and assuring the loyalty of all 
the various alien populations of the city. It therefore undertook to maintain a system of reading and 
translation of editorials and news articles in the foreign language press. The Yiddish, Italian, Spanish, 
German, Magyar and Greek newspapers were regularly read and translated. The ser\ice proved to be 
of such value that the Committee on Public Information in Washington has made use of the Committee's 
service, and is regularly supplied with material which the Committee finds from day to day. From time 
to time pamphlets have come into the hands of the Committee which it has had translated. We have also 

26 



kept in touch with the trade union organs, and gotten the point of view of trade union organizations through 
their press. Supplementing this translation service we have had a systematic method of following up 
street and hall meetings all over the city, and were able to attend the organization meetings of various 
organizations unfriendly to the conduct of the war, and to report thereon to the proper autlioritios. These 
meetings also have been of value to us in indicating the trend of thought. 

Investigations of Suspicious Aliens 

Investigations of specific cases of suspicious aliens and the verification of addresses given in ap" 
plications for permits have been made. We have also co-oporated closely with that branch of the City 
Police Department having in charge the matter of ahen supervision. We have kept a careful record through 
the co-operation of the Magistrates' Courts, of cases brought before the City Magistrates of disorderly 
conduct either by participation in or interruption of street meetings. 

Aiding in Industrial Problems 

Finding through our translation service and also through meetings and conferences that much alien 
unrest during the summer months was caused by employment conditions, especially those existing in the 
garment trades, a closer inspection revealed to us that the high cost of living and the inabihty to find em- 
ployment were the vital circumstances contributing to tliis unrest. Further investigation revealed in- 
justice of a gross character in the manufacture of army uniforms on which many of these people had been 
employed. We participated in a number of conferences, co-operating with the Committee on Industry 
and Employment of the Mayor's Committee on National Defense, with the Manufacturers' Association 
and the Trades Unions involved, and were instrumental in bringing about a speedy remedying of the 
condition. 

Fire Prevention 

We issued a letter to industrial plants of the City of New York, calling attention to the special need 
for Are prevention at this time, and secured the co-operation of the Bureau of Fire Prevention of New 
York City in issuing a series of special instructions for various industries. This work was later turned 
over to the Committee on Industry and Employment. The response to our suggestion that additional 
fire precautions were necessary was immediate and cordial. 

Aiding the Food Campaign 

During the summer we were able to co-operate with the City Carming Kitchen, which was run under 
the auspices of the Mayor's Committee of Women. Many groups of alien women were brought into the 
kitchen, learned there the use of new foods, and received valuable lessons in cleanliness and food con- 
servation. They were repaid for their labor in connection with the kitclien by supplies of canned food 
for the winter, beside having the continuous privilege of purchasing food at very low prices. At the time 
of securing the signatures to food pledges, the Committee was active in obtaining the signatures of alien 
women, and outUning methods by which these could be most effectively obtained. 

Co-operation with the Red Cross 

Believing that the psychology of alien women in relation to the war will be greatly improved by 
activities directly connected with its conduct, the Committee undertook, in co-operation with the New 
York County Chapter of the Red Cross, and the Association of Neighborhood Workers, and various in- 
dividuals, the formation of Red Cross Auxiharies in ahen neighboriioods. These have been most suc- 
cessful, and a number have been estabUshed in various neighborhood houses and some in factories, with 
the result that very nearly a thousand women and girls, otherwise inactive and uninterested in the war, 
have been engaged in service for the Red Cross. 

Furnishing Draft Information 

The Committee found much naisunderstanding and much need for accurate information concerning 
the draft laws. Recommendations were made to the Department of War looking to the estabUshment 
of authentic information bureaus that would meet the need as the Committee saw it. The result has been 
the estabUshment of an Information Bureau at the Mayor's Committee on National Defense, which is 
conducted jointly by the Mayor's Committee and the American Red Cross. The Committee has, how- 
ever, conducted information bureaus at two neighborhood houses in alien neighborhoods, where informa- 
tion concerning the draft, naturalization, citizenship, educational opportunities, employment, etc., has 
been furnished aliens applying. 

Census of Enemy Aliens 

The Committee also undertook a census of enemy aUens employed in office buildings in the lower 
part of the city which had a view of the water front. This was completed and turned over to the authori- 
ties who could make best use of it. 

Employment Activities 

The recent orders of the marshals, again removing enemy aliens from the water front, especially 
in Brooklyn, have revived the employment activities of the Committee. The establishment of the Employ- 
ment Clearing House imder the joint auspices of the State and the City has been of great service at this 
time. Hundreds of men have been given new positions of safety, and employers who have been deprived 
of their services have been furnished mth help. Through this work we are able also from time to time 
to locate men who have not secured their permits and report them promptly to the Marshal. 

27 



Opposition to Alien Insurance 

An important activity of tlie Committee has been the Investigation of the relations of enemy and 
allied enemy insurance companies, and a determination of their relation to and effect upon the war. Re- 
ports upon this subject have been made by the chairman, who has also appeared before the Secretary of 
the Treasiu^' in Washington in opposition to the licensing of these companies tmder the Trading with the 
Enemy Act. 

Americanization through Education 

Through our attendance at meetings and otir translation service, and our general touch with the 
alien neighborhoods of the city, it has become apparent that the remedy for disaffection lies in a propa- 
ganda of counter-education. Conferences with influential leaders of various groups in the alien com- 
mimities, such as newspaper editors, writers and thinkers, have con\inced the Committee that a broad 
educational propaganda in connection with public schools and all social agencies of the City was necessary. 
This was projected on July 15th. Its objects were: 

(a) To extend and add to the attendance of public day and night schools. 

(b) To socialize the night schools. 

(c) To coimteract the propaganda among aliens by setting up a definite educational pro- 

gram to meet it. 
These objects are attained through the following activities; 

1. The Schools 

(a) Open day and night school classes for the handling of foreigners wherever needed. 

(b) Open annex classes in shops, stores and factories, and furnish teachers when proper ap- 

plication is made. 

(c) Open community centers and appoint community workers. 

(d) Ask an appropriation of $100,000 for carrying out these activities in schools and factories. 

2. The Employers 

(a) The Committee has organized co-operative effort through its committees appointed by 

the Merchants' Association, the Fifth Avenue Association, the Chamber of Commerce, 
the General Contractors' Association, the Master Builders' Association, the Master 
Painters' Association, the Brooklyn Civic Association, Hotel Men's Association, etc. 

(b) Distribute slips in pay-roll envelopes; send personal letters to members, urging co-opera- 

tion with the Mayor's Committee on Aliens. 

(c) Conduct activities suited to their group needs. 

3. Labor Organizations 

(a) Through the locals of the A. F. of L., the American Alliance for Labor and Democracy, 
and the Internationals, urge the attendance of the foreign bom at night schools and 
co-operation with the Committee. 

4. Community, Neighborhood and Settlement Houses, Churches, Synagogues and Clubs 

(a) Organize and conduct classes in their respective organizations. 

(b) Co-operate with the Committee in placing volunteer workers. 

(c) Conduct lectures, talks and clubs. 

(d) Open information centers. 

(e) Conduct neighborhood meetings in groups, enlisting social workers and foreign leaders 

to carry out the program. 

5. Foreign Society and Press 

(a) Organize racial groups to assist Committee. (They have already been organized in Italian, 

Polish, Yiddish, Japanese, Slovak, Bohemian and Armenian.) 

(b) The League for Foreign Bom Citizens is co-operating. 

6. Naturalization Agencies 

(a) Cordial relations have been established between the Bureau of Natiu-alization and the 
educational work of the Committee, with frequent conferences with Chief Inspector 
C. O'Cowley. 

7. Educational Institutions 

(a) Offer courses in training for the community workers and teachers. Proper arrangements 
have been made with Teachers' College, People's Institute, N. Y. U., the School of 
Philanthropy. (The People's Institute has conducted a class for 150 commimity 
workers, beginning October 1st and closing November 1st. Many of those who took 
the course are now at work.) Intensive work is continued with those who desire 
special forms of work. 

8. Women's Organizations 

. (a) ISIany women's organizations are sending volunteers to our Volunteer Secretary, and such 
organizations as the State Defense Committee, the League for Political Education, 
the Woman Suffrage Party, the Neighborhood League of America, etc., are co-operat- 
ing with the Committee. 

9. Religious Organizations 

(a) Publicity and Organization of Classes. 

(b) Federal Council of the Churches assist actively in bringing the program to the attention 

of their members. 

28 



10. Fraternal Orders and Lodges 

(a) Many orders of the foreign born, such as the Sons of Italy, Y. M. H. A., Polish National 
Alliance, have promised co-operation with the Committee in extending its message. 

11. Civic Organizations 

Many civic organizations, such as the American Boy Scouts, the American Girl Scouts, 
Brooklyn Merchants' Club, Children's Aid Society, Society for the Welfare of the 
Jewish Deaf, National Civic Federation, have been in active co-operation with the 
Committee through various forms of service. 

12. Volunteer Service 

Since the second week in September about four hundred volunteers have registered in this 
ofiice, and about one hundred and fifty are being trained (through the Mayor's Com- 
mittee) at the People's Institute. Of those registered in this department, virtually 
all come under the following classifications: 

1. Club Leaders. 

(a) Citizenship. 

(b) Civics. 

(c) American History. 

(d) Current Events or Americanization work of any kind. 

2. Teachers of English to Foreigners. 

3. PubUc Speakers. 

4. Organizers. 

(a) Forming groups in factories for the study of English. 

(b) Forming groups in women's clubs for the teaching of English. 

(c) Organizing patriotic entertainments at settlements and evening clubs. 

(d) Organizing new community centers. 

5. Singers and musicians of aU sorts. 

6. Clerical workers for patriotic service. 

7. Athletic Instructors, and instructors in mihtary drill. 

8. Community Visitors. 

(a) For attendance in night schools. 

(b) Forming Mothers' Clubs. 

(c) Food Drive. 

(d) Forming Civic Clubs. 

Besides the training received at the formal schools, the Secretary has been able to send volunteers 
to the following places for quick informal training: 

1. City History Club (for Civics.) 

2. Neighbor's League of America (for teaching English to foreigners.) 

3. A newly organized class at the Ethical Culture Society which is training women to teach 

citizenship. 

This department has given talks to some half dozen women's clubs and Young People's Leagues, 
oflfering specific advice how to organize their volunteer service along Americanization lines. 

The volunteers are stiU coming in and are being distributed over the city. 

With the limited financial resources at its disposal for the work, the Committee feels that much 
has been accomplished in its several fields of activity, and that it has already contributed substantial 
assistance to the cause of National Defense. 

■Report of Committee on Organizations 

GEORGE T. WILSON, Chairman W. L. RANDALL, Secretary 

Object — Organization 

The Committee on Organizations was formed soon after the Mayor's Committee got under way 
with George T. Wilson, Esq. as Chairman. This was accomplished at a meeting of representatives of a 
large number of organizations called by the Mayor on April 23, 1917. There foUowed the appointment 
of a Committee on Plan and Scope, and subsequently a Committee on Administration. 

The aim of this Committee was to affiliate with the Mayor's Committee on National Defense not 
only patriotic organizations, but all others desiring to be of service in the war, co-ordinate their activi- 
ties, and from time to time indicate the channels in which their energies could be most effectively employed. 

As worked out in practice, the fimctions of the Committee on Organizations have been four-fold: 
(1.) To enUst and inde.x organizations; (2.) To co-operate with patriotic bodies; (3.) To employ the 
energies represented by the afflhated organizations in war work; (4.) To investigate and report on new 
war organizations. 

Only men's organizations have been approached by this Committee, women's societies being taken 
care of by a similar Committee of the Mayor's Committee of Women. In response to letters sent to 
numerous men's clubs, societies, etc., two hundred and four have alUed themselves with us, providing 
data regarding their officers, objects and war activities. This information has been indexed under sub- 
jects, so this Committee can get in touch at a moment's notice with organizations equipped and willing 
to participate in war service along many different Unes. 

The bodies afflhated with tliis Committee comprise clubs, social and poUtical; associations of busi- 
ness men, lawyers, engineers and representatives of many other vocations; trade and professional associa- 

29 



tlons; patriotic, musical, fraternal, agricultural, medical, civic and other associations. The diversified 
nature of the patriotic service offered by these organizations is indicated by the headings under which 
they are indexed, as follows" 

Accoimting Draughting MiUtary organization 

Advertising Engineering Public speaking 

Automobile driving Engine driving Policing 

Building Farming Printing 

Clerical work Investigating Relief work 

Carrjing messages Interpreting Recreation for soldiers 

Census taking Instruction Recruiting 

Copying Motorcycle driving Sewing, etc. 

Automobiles Horses Telephone operating 

Boats Hospital suppUes Typewriting 

Bicycles Legal advice Telegraphing 

Camp sites Labor Translating 

Medical aid Meeting places Sites for convalescent homes 

Music Motorcycles Trucks 

Tools 
A list of the organizations affiliated with this Committee is attached to tliis report. 

Co-operation with Organizations 

Some instances of co-operation with patriotic and other organizations are listed below: 

Aided War Department Commission on Training Camp Activities, now known as National Service 
Commission, ^vith information about organizations and other matters. 

Assisted Friendly Aid Society in obtaining entertainers for soldiers. 

Helped Chelsea Neighborhood Association in mapping out its war activities. 

Provided two thousand soldiers to sing at Song and Light Festival of Community Chorus (in co- 
operation with the Recruiting Committee.) 

Assisted American Alliance for Labor and Democracy in getting an audience for rally on Septem- 
ber 15th. 

Furnished list of civic organizations and other material to the Broadway Association. 

Gave information regarding our work and other matters to the Merchants' Association. 

Helped Alunicipal Market Commission to arrange for a food hearing. 

Assisted Liberty Loan Committee in the foUowing respects: Conducted a reception by the Mayor 
at the City HaU to the Liberty Loan Committee, including a parade with mihtary and naval escort and 
bands, singing by school children, decorations, etc., and a turnout of distinguished citizens; helped with 
suggestions and information on Liberty Loan Parade; also distributed five hundred tickets for grand- 
stand; obtained participation of organizations in poster distribution and the placing of street banners; 
helped to get location in Central Park for exhibition of captured German submarine; co-operated with 
members of the Committee in very many smaller matters. 

Aided the representative of the National Food Administration in obtaining park sites for food bul- 
letins in Central Park, Bryant Park, City Hall Park, in front of the Library, at 34th Street & Park Ave., 
Borough Hall Park, Brooklyn and elsewhere. 

Participation of Organizations 

Some cases in which organizations have been enabled to participate in patriotic activities are as 
follows: 

Certain foreign organizations asked to aid Committee on Aliens in Americanization work, also 
other organizations requested to help this Committee at various times in special activities. 

All our organizations invited to attend a patriotic rally on October 5th, and tickets sent to them. 

All our own organizations and many others circularized for the Government film service. 

Send-off for men of the National Army arranged through this Committee. This took place on Sept. 
4th. Representatives of om- affiliated bodies were called together and appointed a Committee of which 
William Fellowes Morgan was Chairman, to carry out the tentative plans presented at the meeting. Through 
sub-committees on parade, decorations, churches, entertainments, etc., a program was arranged which 
consisted of services in the churches, synagogues and temples on the Saturday and Sunday previous to 
National Army Day ; a parade up Fifth Avenue in the morning of that day, which attracted as much 
attention as the big National Guard Parade of only a few days before; a ball game at the Polo Grounds 
in the afternoon at which there were special features to entertain the selected men and lunch was served 
to them; entertainments in the evening in various churches, club houses, etc., throughout the city. 
Through the efforts of this Commitee, similar parades were held in Brooklj-n and the Bronx. On that 
day every selected man was provided with a brassard by this Committee. 

Reception given to the Southern Commercial Congress and diplomats of allied nations. This re- 
ception, which took place on October 16th, was entirely in the hands of this Committee and comprised a 
miUtary and civic parade from the Battery to the City Hall; the elaborate decorations at the City Hall; 
and the reception inside the City Hall by the Mayor and a Committee of distinguished citizens. 

Continuing and Projected Activities 
Because the work of enlisting organizations came on the eve of a political campaign, the results 
were not as great as they might be. At this time it is possible to enlarge the membership of this Com- 
mittee to include certainly seventy-flve per cent of all organizations in New York City. A canvass is now 

30 



under way among lodges, political and social clubs, chiu-ch organizations, etc., etc., which is expected to 
develop wide interest in the work of the Mayor's Committee on National Defense toward helping along 
the war. Plans are also on foot for closer co-operation among patriotic organizations along similar lines; 
also for Unking up various bodies with such activities as those of the American Defense Society; the Red 
Cross; National Service Commission and the U. S. Public Service Reserve, the last named being a dovern- 
ment agency, wliich aims to obtain and file the name of every man who desires to serve the Nation and 
his capabilities for doing so. There is a big field for patriotic service, also, in interesting these organiza- 
zations of ours in the great movements of the Government, such as conservation of food and fuel; like- 
wise in the movement to comijat the spread of German propaganda. 

Another means for using these organizations has been worked out in the shape of supplying every 
soldier at the Front with a correspondent at home. The idea is to obtain through the organizations lists 
of members who desire to write to soldiers and put them in touch with the men on the other side. 

Complete List of Organizations up to Nov. 15, 1917 



American Red Cross 

American Defense Society 

Automobile Clul> of America 

American Society of Mecli. Engineers 

American Society of Refrigerating Engineers 

American Alliance for Labor and Democracy 

Association for the Improved Instruction of Deaf 

Mutes 
Advertising Club 

American Committee on the High Cost of Living 
American Clothing Manufacturers' Association 
Association for the Prevention and Relief of Heart 

Disease 
Art Alhance of America 
Aeronautical Society of America 
American Museiun of Safety 
Associated Traveling Salesman of New York 
Arkwright Club 
Aldine Club 

American Institute of Social Service 
Aero Club of America 
American Guild of Organists 
Alliance Israelite UniverseUe 
Arion Society 

American Association of Woolen and Worsted Mfrs. 
Architectural League of New York 
American Jewelers Protection Association 
American Committee for Armenian and Syrian 

Relief 
American Association of Wholesale Opticians 
Arcliitectural Iron and Bronze Manufacturers 
Association of American Embroidery and Lace 

Manufacturers 
Amateur Athletic Union of U. S. 
Aschenbroedel Verein 
American Engineering Service of the Engineering 

Council 
American Rights League 
Builders Protective Association 
Bohemian National AUiance 
Bohemian American Press Association 
Bankers' Club 
Brooklyn Engineers' Club 
Brooklyn Civic Club 
Boy Scouts of America 
Brewers Board of Trade 
Blooming Grove Htmting and Fishing Club 
Bureau of Philanthropic Research 
Brooklyn Club 
Beta Theta Pi Club of N. Y. 
Bronx Chiu-ch House 
Building Trades Employers' Association of the 

City of New York 
Broadway Association 
Canadian Club of New York 
Century Club 
Chamber of Commerce of the U. S. 



Court Attendants Mutual Benefit Association 

Crescent Athletic Club 

Catholic Club 

Columbia University Club 

Committee of National Defense of the American 

Institute of Electrical Engineers 
Calumet Cyclers 
Chiu-ch Club of New York 
Compressed Air Society 
Civil Service Reform Association 
Chelsea Neighborhood Association 
City Club of New York 
AUiance Francaise of New York 
American Juniors 

American Federation of CathoUc Societies 
Clotliiers Association of New York 
CorneU University Club 
City Atliletic Club 
Calumet Club 
Camp Fire Club of America 
Down Town Association 
Deutscher Liederkranz 
Frsundschaft Society 

Federation of Hebrew Retail Grocer Association 
Federation of Churches 
French Institute of the U. S. 
Federated Civic Association 
Fifth Avenue Association 
Fire Brokers Association of New York 
Engineers' Club 
GroUer Club 

General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen 
Gedney Farms Country Club 
German University League 
Harlem Board of Commerce 
Hudson River Yacht Club 
Hungarian ReUef Society 
Hebrew Association for the Blind 
Humanitarian Cult 

Hamburg Commercial Association of 1858 
Harlem Yacht Club 
HoUand Society of New York 
Highland Nature Camps 
Hamilton Club 

Harvard Club of New York City 
Hardware Club 
Knickerbocker Club 
Lotos Club 
Lambs (The) 

League of Catholic Societies 
Life Underwriters' Association 
League of Greek Liberals 
Lutheran Emigrants House Association 
League of Foreign Bom Citizens 
League to Enforce Peace 
Manhattan Club 
Montauk Club 



31 



Metropolitan Club 

Metropolitan Association A. A. U. 

Madison Square Boys' Club 

Mornlngside Athletic and Social Club 

Metropolitan Yacht Club 

Marine and Field Club 

Merchants' Club 

Military Training Camps Association 

Military Engineering Committee 

Merchants' Association of New York 

Masonic Club of the City of New York 

Motion Picture Board of Trade 

Manhattan Civic Association 

Machinery Club 

New York Musicians' Union 

National Association of the Friars 

National Patriotic Song Committee 

New York Community Chorus 

New York Young Republican Club 

New York Board of Jewish Ministers 

New York Boat 0^vne^s Association 

Illuminating Engineering Society 

Immigrant Publication Society 

Institute for Public Service 

India House 

Jewish Agricultural and Industrial Aid Society 

New York Society of Architects 

New York Electrical Society 

National School Camp Association 

National Security League 

National Arts Club 

National Wholesale Grocers Association 

National League on Urban Conditions among 

Negroes 
National Democratic Club 
National Commercial Gas Association 
National Retail Dry Goods Association 
Nonpareil Rowing Club 
Ohio Society of New York 
Progress Club of the City of New York 
PubUshers Association 
Peoples University Extension 
Society of New York 

Purchasing Agents Association of New York 
Prison Association of New York 
Printers Club of New York 
Preparedness League of American Dentists 
Point Yacht Club 

PoUsh National Alliance Immigrant Home 
Pan-American Society of the U. S. 
Princeton Club of New York 



Recess Club 

Rocky Mountain Club 

Republican Club 19th A. D. 

New York Athletic Club 

New York Peace Society 

New York Lumber Trade Association 

New York Greek Society-Vryseon 

New York League for the Hard of Hearing 

New York Business Publishers Association 

New York Society for the Suppression of Vice 

Rubber Trade Association of New York 

Railroad Club of New York 

Russian Immigrant Society 

Rotary Club 

Republican Club, 16th A. D. 

Russian American ReUef Association 

Republican Organizations Club 

Salmagundi Club 

Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers 

Shirt Manufacturers' Protective Association 

Sons of the American Revolution 

St. Nicholas Club of the City of New York 

Societe Culinau-e Pliilantlu-opique 

Silk Association of America 

Transportation Club 

Technology Club of New York 

Trade Publication Defense Committee 

Travel Club of America 

Travelers Aid Society of New York 

Union Club 

United Swedish Societies of New York 

United Hospital Fund of New York 

United Irish Counties Association 

Union League Club of New York 

University Club 

University Club of Brooklyn 

Vatel Club 

White Rats Actors Union of America 

Whist Club 

WhitehaU Limch Club 

Williams Club of New York 

Wholesale Shoe League 

West Side Club 

Workers Amusement Club 

Yoimg Men's Hebrew Association 

Young Men's Hebrew Association of Washington 

Heights 
Yorkville Centre Club 
Yale Club 
Yorkville Social Center 



Report of the Film Bureau 

G. OSGOOD ANDREWS, Manager 

The very recent addition of the Government Film Service to the activities of the Mayor's Com- 
mittee on National Defense does not permit of a lengthy resume of the work performed. 

On October 8th last the Mayor's Committee on National Defense entered into an agreement with 
Mr. Charles P. Watson, manager of Distribution division of Films of the United States Government for 
a weekly service of three reels of "OfHcial United States War Films" per week for a period of ten con- 
secutive weeks at a cost of $300 per week, such service to begin on October 15 and terminate on December 
17, the piu-pose of such agreement being to co-operate with the Government in the proper distribution 
of the pictiu-es and determinining when, where and how they might be most instrumental in stimulating 
patriotism and disseminating authentic information pertaining to the Government work in the war. 

My appointment to the managership of the Service dates from October 19 last, and actual work 
was begun on October 22. Since that time this department has been organized, newspaper publicity ob- 
tained, various forms of letters compiled and sent out, and methods essential to the proper conduct of 
the service systematized, whUe business to the extent of $1025. has been booked, at an exhibiting cost 
of $450. 

As an instructive and patriotic entertainment the War pictures are well adapted to the spirit of the 
time, while the small charge made to cover oiu- outlay does not seem prohibitive. They have been shown 
in many churches, clubs, lodges and organizations — speakers being provided when desired — with the 

32 



stipulation tiiat no tickets may be sold for commercial purposes and they liave been most enthuslasti- 
ally received. 

I have no doubt that a continuation of this Bureau, subject to certain amendments in our contract, 
would fulfill the purposes of our Government and prove advantageous to tlie public at large. 

Joint Information Bureau (Red Cross) 

C. E. MELLON, Manager 

In accordance with your request of November 15th, the following is a report of the activities of 
this department. 

Since tlie opening of the Bureau of Information on November 1st, 1917, quite a number of requests 
for financial aid liave been brought to my attention. I have referred tliem to the proper local chapter of 
the Red Cross for investigation and what aid that organization could give them. 

A number of inquiries as to the whereabouts of men in the service have been made and the desired 
information given out when obtained. 

I have received from Wasliington full information in regard to the new act of Congress providing 
for family allowances, allotments, compensation and insurance for the military and naval forces of the 
United States, so tliat tliis Bureau is now in a position to answer all questions in regard to this Act. I 
expect to be kept informed from WasLiington in regard to all new regulations made in the future. 

I am keeping in touch with the Local Exemption Boards and they are referring all cases for relief 
to me if they have no facilities to handle them themselves. 

I am also in touch with a number of Charity Organizations throughout the city, and I am co-opera- 
ting with them in the matter of relief. 

This Bureau expects to receive, in the near future, casualty lists from the headquarters of the Red 
Cross at Washington. I believe steps liave already been taken by the Red Cross authorities in regard to 
receiving these from the War Department. 

Report of the Transportation Department 

EDWARD B. COCHEMS, Manager 

The work of this Department originally began with the Loyalty Pledge Campaign last February. 
It was found necessary to provide vehicular service to distribute and collect large quantities of pledge 
blanks sent to and taken from all parts of the City. This campaign was followed by the estabUshment 
of the Recruiting Committee at the same address. 

It was again fovmd necessary to provide similar service for the distribution of thousands upon thous- 
ands of posters, as well as to provide tliis service in connection with the work imdertaken for the "Wake 
Up America Parade." The various committees placed over 28,000 posters in every Borough in the City 
from 9.30 A. M. until 5 P. M. on that day. Two hundred eighty-seven (287) automobiles were secured 
to take part in tiie "Wake Up America Parade" as well as trucks for floats, trucks and busses for every 
pupose. 

Incidentally it suppUed many patriotic organizations with speakers. In fact, this is the origin also 
of the Speakers' Bureau of the Mayor's Committee. The Speakers' Bureau was made a separate com- 
mittee owing to the volume of work of the Transportation Department. 

Many cars were provided for outdoor speaking for the purpose of securing recruits for the various 
branches of the service. For tliis work we averaged from twelve to thirty-five cars a day as long as the 
campaign lasted. 

The transportation work was finally recognized by making it a department which included a speak- 
ers' bureau from about May 14th to about the middle cf June. A basic list of speakers, comprising from 
about 1,200 to 1,500 names, including man and women and speakers who wore capable of talking in various 
languages and who represented all pohtical parties, was indexed and alphabetically arranged. Data con- 
cerning the particular subjects and the strength of the speakers was noted on these cards. The depart- 
ment was of considerable aid to the first Liberty Loan Campaign, by sending speakers, as well as for all 
great patriotic drives in the Greater City and its vicinity. We provided three hundred fifty-seven (357) 
speakers for the Aliens Committee of the Mayor's Committee for tlie purpose of explaining the purposes 
of the Federal Draft which took place on June 5th. These men spoke in the districts where the foreign 
element resided the night before registration. A great number of cars were also arranged for besides 41 
speakers for the Bronx Committee and 31 cars for the following day. 

The Department provided eighty-seven (87) cars for Edward F. Boyle, President of the Board of 
Elections, who was in charge of the Federal Draft Registration. These cars reported at 7 A. M. and worked 
until 9 or 11 that evening, distributing iDlanks and providing facilities for rapid work on the part of the 
inspectors who reported in all parts of the City. For the above work we had but two days' notice. 

The Transportation Department started without the name of one owner of an automobile, truck 
or bus, but rapidly laid the foundation for a list of automobile, truck, bus, van and taxi owners that com- 
pletely covered the vehicular service of the City. We now have a list of 90,000 owners of pleasure cars, 
5,000 owners of vans through the Van Owners' Association, over 10,000 trucks of all tonnage, the United 
Motor Truck Clu'o, representing 5,000 trucks, all the sight-seeing and taxi companies. Many of the 
war service organizations had estabUshed trans- portation departments, but admitted that they had 
made a failure of it, and consequently appealed to tliis Department and received their ser\'ice directly 
from the Mayor's Committee. Many of the larger transportation units of the City will not provide 
service unless it comes through this Department. 

Calculating the work done on a modest rental value, the records of tins Department show that in 
the past six months it has secured free of charge over $250,000 worth of free service, and has served over 

33 



60 patriotic and war service organizations, as well as recrmting stations representative of every branch 
in the United States Service, besides numerous branches of many organizations. In all we have served 
over 200 diflferent units of this kind. 

We have been given entire possession of about ten automobiles, as weU as having received about 
$2,500 in cash donations in Ueu of automobile service to be apphed for that service. 

It seems that, the Federal Government does not customarily, in the course of its recruiting services, 
provide transportation facilities or the funds necessary to provide them. For this reason it is absolutely 
necessary for these various Recrmting Stations, etc., to demand a great deal of this bureau. It seems to 
have been proved essential for the carrying out of any propaganda, program or campaign, such as the 
first or second Liberty Loan Campaign, the Red Cross, the National Food Committee, the Recruiting 
and other major Federal campaigns to have vehiciilar service. For example: it would have been impos- 
sible for the Recruiting Committee of the Mayor's Committee to have posted three or four himdred thous- 
and posters without the service of automobiles that were donated. It woiild be just as impossible for 
these various committees, organizations, and societies to pay for the rental of cars. It would have been a 
prohibitive matter. 

Take for example the New York State MiUtary Census program for the registration of people of 
the Greater City. They had 3,200 registration booths; had to distribute 90,000 tons of Uterature and 
collect the signed blanks each night for lack of safe places to keep them, as well as providing faciUties 
for the rapid transportation of its numerous inspectors. This department handled that matter com- 
pletely and dm-ing that period provided over $45,000 worth of free transportation facilities, repre- 
senting pleasure cars and trucks. 

There is a steady and growing demand for this kind of service. Every week or two some new cam- 
paign or drive is planned wliich makes a special demand for co-operation from this department. The 
second Liberty Loan Campaign was immediately followed by the National Food Campaign for food con- 
servation pledges. This is now followed by a recruiting drive on the part of the Naval Recruiting Stations 
of the City for four or five himdred firemen to be used on the transport service. 

The Brooklyn Chapter of the Red Cross is also having a campaign for membership. Next week 
there wiU be a joint British and U. S. Army Campaign for recruits. We are already making arrangements 
for the third Liberty Loan Campaign, which is expected to begin early next year. Besides providing 
transportation, this department has also been called upon to provide bands and music of various kinds. 
We have hsted practically all the bands and music organizations and societies of the City. We have helped 
out on all parades — the National Guard Parade, the National Army Parade, the Liberty Loan Parade, 
the Sun Tobacco Fund Parade and parades of similar kinds. We provided 31 bands for the National Army 
Parade, as well as a great nimiber of miUtary, naval and marine units. Boy Scouts, etc. We have been 
called upon to provide cars and music for the various receptions given by the Mayor to foreign delegations 
and missions, as well as for the Southern Commercial Congress, etc. 

The advice of this department has been sought in many conferences in which plans were laid for some 
campaign or some patriotic or Federal activity. For example: we suggested to the Committee of the 
Second Liberty Loan the idea of placing windshield posters on all the cars of the City, and how it should 
be done, as weU as what kind of paper should be used. When it was proposed to have a great British 
Recruiting Campaign, the question arose as to how to provide subsistence for two battalions of Canadian 
Kilties who were to be the cliief attraction for that week's work. We got the New York Hotel Men's 
Association to donate the food necessary, as well as seciu-ing the cots, blankets, etc., and the 71st Regi- 
ment for sleeping quarters. This was an item of over $2,000. We provided cots on another occasion on 
very short notice for the Adjutant General's ofiBce in connection with caring for drafted men who were 
quartered temporarily in the 71st Regiment Armory. 

We seciu-ed volimteers and cars for the exemption boards. The City Canning and Drjing Kitchen 
Committee of the Mayor's Committee was provided witli trucks for over three months for the carrying 
of food taken from commission merchants and railroad terminals, to be canned and dried or distributed 
to the various charitable institutions. We provided buses for sight-seeing purposes for the benefit of the 
crews of various foreign battle cruisers; for men at Camp Mills, from other States of the Union; last 
week for the British Ministry of Munitions; carried sweaters and other goods to the camps and to the 
battleships leaving for foreign ports ; provided cars for the inspectors to handle the transportation of the 
German U-Boat and the British Tank; provided for the moving at 4.30 in the morning of equipment and 
paraphernaUa of the Second Brigade Headquarters' Troop; have taken the sick children of enlisted 
soldiers to the waterfront; provided mu-sic for the continuation of the patriotic musical festival; pro- 
vided cars for the Sm-geon-General's oflace of the War Department for the purpose of making a complete 
survey of base hospital sites in the vicinity of New York; helped to make arrangements for temporary 
base hospitals by using four local armories; took woimded men to the various camps; carried entertain- 
ers to the various camps for the Committee on Training Camp Activities; lighted trucks for recruiting; 
provided cars for the pajTnasters of the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the U. S. Ship "Aeolus;" transported 
singers and speakers to himdreds of patriotic meetings; provided trucks for convejing moving pictm-e 
apparatus for the Government War Film Service; helped secm-e rights for various parades through the Police 
Department; helped to make arrangements of various big meetings of the British-Canadian and the 
National Service Meetings at Madison Square Garden; pro-vided cars for the work in connection with 
securing funds to build the U. S. Ship "Recruit;" pro%ided trucks, cars, buses and bands for the American 
Alliance for Labor and Democracy, as well as buses and bands to take the drafted men quotas from many 
of the 189 exemption boards; made report on possibilities of vehiciilar mobilization to General Eli D. 
Hoyle, Eastern Headquarters, War Department . 

Mention is made of several of these matters merely to give an idea of the wide range of activities of 
this department. We have served the following organizations and committees with their niuneroua 
branches: 

34 



(A) Mayor's Committee on National Defense 

Finance Committee; Committee on Speakers and War Instruction; Committee on Defense and 
Security; Committee on Industry and Employment; Recruiting Committee; Committee on Aliens; 
Military Census; Committee on Hospitals and Medical Facilities; Committee on Organizations; Com- 
mittee on Relief; Borough of Queens Committee; Borough of Brooklyn Committee; Borough of the 
Bronx Committee; Borough of Richmond Committee. 

(B) Mayor's Committee on Women on National Defense 

Standing Committee on Publicity; Standing Committee on Food; Standing Committee on Social 
"Welfare; Joint Committee on Industry and Employment. 

(C) Federal Recruiting Service 

Army Headquarters; Aviation Corps; BrookljTi Navy Yard; Commander John Grady — Xavy; 
BrookljTi Army Recruiting; Junior Naval Reserve; Marine Corps; Military Training Camp; Navy 
Headquarters — Commander Adams; Naval Reserves; Naval Reserve Coast Defense; Naval Militia; 
Quartermasters' Department; Governors Island; Quartermaster Enlisted Reserve Corps. 

(D) General 

New York State Military Census — all offlcss; Federal Registration Committee; The First Liberty 
Loan Committee and sub-committees; The Second Liberty Loan Committee and sub-committees; The 
Red Cross (5 boroughs and sub-committees) (a) Auxiliary Civilian ReUef Red Cross, all boroughs and 
sub-committees; National Special Aid Society; British Recruitmg Mission; Adjutant General's Office 
(189 Exemption Boards) ; Veteran Corps of Artillery; Mihtia of Mercy; Kips Bay Neighborhood Associa- 
tion; Bronx House; Richmond Hill House; Young Women's Hebrew Association; Little Italy House, 
etc.; Headquarters Troop, 27th Division; War Department Commission on Training Camp Activities, 
(a) National Service Club with branches, (b) Patriotic Service League.; Mid-Day Minute Men Recruiting 
Committee; Stage Women's War ReUef; Machine Gun Company, 71st Regiment; Army and Navy 
Field Kit Comfort Committee; National League for Women's Service; Second Brigade Headquarters 
Troop; Soldiers' and Sailors' Club; French Soldiers and Sailors Club; Boy Scouts of America; Junior 
American Naval and Marine Scouts; Sun Tobacco Fund (a) Stin Tobacco Fund Parade under the 
auspices of the Washington Irving High School ; Southern Commercial Congress Reception Committee ; 
American Defense Society; U. S. Food Administration; Women's AuxiUary Naval Recruiting Committee; 
23rd Regiment Recruiting Campaign; Brooklyn Navy Yard (various divisions); Board of Control War 
Department, inspection of war contracts and fire conditions; Naval Reserve; Surgeon-General, War De- 
partment, inspecting base hospital sites; Mayor's Food Committee; Government Film Service; Parade 
of Recruiting BattaUon and Service Men; National Guard Parade Committee; National Army Parade 
Committee; Poster Committee; Cars for speakers, singers, etc., numerous patriotic meetings; U. 8. S. 
"Granite State" Naval Reserve; U. S. S. "Recruit"; British-Canadian Madison Square Rally; The 
National Service Night, Madison Square Garden; American Alliance for Labor and Democracy; Evening 
MaU Marine and Navy Recruiting Committee; National Guard; Musical Festival Committee, Central 
Park; British Ministry of Munitions; Principal's Club; Officers' Reserve Corps; United Pohsh Societies. 

A system has been developed which facilitates the work required; otherwise it could not be carried 
on successfully. Attached you will And time indication cards and a record card. The records as well as 
the time indication cards are aU filed, so that at a moment's notice, it is possible to ascertain when and 
for how long a car is used; for what purpose and for whom it was used, as well as the name of the owner 
who provided the car. The description of the car, horse power, seating capacity and factory number is 
also indicated, so that in case of accident, all the facts necessary are at hand on which claims for the 
Insurance we carry can be based. 



35 



TIME INDICATION CARD 

My car will be available as indicated below with a check (X), regardless of weather conditions: 



NOVEMBER 


M 


T 


W 


T 


F 


S 


M 


T 


W 


T 


F 


S 


M 


T 


W 


T 


F 


S 


DECEMBER 


19 


20 


21 


22 


23 


24 


26 


27 


28 


28 


30 


1 


3 


4 


5 


6 


7 


8 


9 a. m. to 5 p. m..- 






































9 a. m. to 1 p. m.-- 




































1 p. m. to 5 p. m.-- 






































7 p. m. to 10 p. m.. 







































Home Address Home Telephone 

Business Address Telephone 

Description of Car Seating Capacity 

Horse Power Factory Number 

The Committee will notify you before 5 o'clock of the day preceding that on which your car may be wanted. 

(OVER) 

(REVERSE) 
I herewith volunteer my automobile with a chauffeur or myself as driver for 
the use of the Mayor's Committee on National Defense, or for such other pur- 
poses as may be approved by the Committee, according to the conditions noted 
on the other side of this card. 



Signature- 



Address.. 



Date.. 



RECORD CARD 

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT, MAYOR'S COMMITTEE ON 
NATIONAL DEFENSE 



Name of car owner. 



Telephone. 



Address. 



Name of committee. 



Person using car. 



Time car reported and dismissed. 



Date. 



For wliat purpose used. 



Name of car and size. Horse power. Factory number. 

36 



Report of the Draft Information Bureau 

WALDEMAR KOPS, Manager 

The Draft Information Bureau is primarily a means of transmitting to the pubUc information con- 
cerning the draft. 

During the time of the first draft this Bm-eau handled an average of five himdred (500) callers, three 
himdred (300) telephone messages, and sent out two hundred (200) letters daily. Since its inception, it 
has allocated fifty thousand (50,000) various cards (recruiting, registration, etc.) to Local Boards. 

In addition, it is used as a clearing house by the Adjutant General, the District Board, Local Boards, 
Customs House in connection with the issuing of Seamen's Certificates, and by PoUce Departments 
throughout the country. 

Also it undertakes to fvirnish volimteer workers to local boards requiring assistance. 

This Bureau likewise renders valuable assistance in connection with what are known as "hardship 
cases" by the local boards, all of which is set forth in greater detail hereafter. •: 

A copy of the report for October follows. It must be borne in mind that practically all the work 
in connection with the fh'st draft was completed before this period and therefore it does not really repre- 
sent an average month's work. Since the new draft regulations have been pubUshed, the work of the 
Bureau has increased tremendously. For instance, on Wednesday, November 14th, we had over five 
hundred (500) callers. 

Number of callers 834 

Telephone calls 1036 

Number of Form letters sent out 502 

Addresses located 1030 

Letters sent to Local Boards 746 

Letters dictated 298 

Recruiting cards located and sent out 1248 

Miscellaneous : 

Cards sorted 208 

Envelopes stamped 362 

Letters readdressed 376 

Envelopes addressed 32 

Exemption Boards located 290 

Information 
The Information Bureau handles hxindreds of inquiries daily, either thru personal interview or by 
telephone. Some of the questions most frequently asked are: 

(1) I am moving out of the city. Must I inform my local board? 

(2) I registered out of town on June 5th and now Uve in New York. Where must I go in case I 

am drafted, can I be examined here? 

(3) I was at sea, or out of the coimtry on Jime 5th. Where must I register? 

(4) How do I stand in the draft? 

(5) How soon will I be called? 

(6) All kinds of questions concerning exemptions. 

(7) Can I enlist if I am drafted? 

(8) Can I leave the country for a certain length of time? 

(9) Do I need any papers before I can travel in the United States? 

(10) Do I need a passport to go to Canada, Mexico, Cuba or South America? 

(11) I have lost my registration card (Federal or State). How can I procure a duplicate? 

(12) I have been certified for the draft. How can I re-open my case? 

These are only a few of the questions asked, but they convey an idea of the range of inquiries that 
are answered. Not a day passes but some new phase of the situation develops largely thru articles in the 
newspapers which result in a new series of requests for information. 

Adjutant General's Office 
The Adjutant General makes use of this Bureau in the following manner: 

(1) To allocate recruiting cards to correct local boards. 

(2) To inform local boards of men who have been discharged by the army so that they may be 
registered imder the draft act. 

(3) Fm-nishing the correct local boards having jurisdiction over addresses submitted. 

(4) To allocate registration cards of registrants residing outside of the United States to the correct 
local boards or else to Washington, D. C. 

Local Boards 
The Local Boards make use of this ofiBce as follows: 

(1) As a clearing house for correspondence between themselves and local boards outside the city. 

(2) CaUing for volunteer assistance to help them in their work. 

(3) For assistance in "Hardship Cases." 

District Board 
The District Board uses this Bureau for ascertaining the Local Board having jurisdiction over the 
addresses submitted. 

37 



Seamen's Certificates 

This Bureau is doing very important work In helping seamen straighten out their papers so that 
they may procure Seamen's Certificates. Sailors as a class are notoriously lax in complying with any regu- 
lations. They are also extremely careless and need someone to explain carefully and simply what is neces- 
sary to get their records straightened out. We have given this branch of our work special attention so 
that the ships would not be unduly delayed in saiUng. Every seaman who has registered is given the 
correct address of his local board. Those who have not registered are sent to their local board. Most 
of these cases are followed up by telephone, and it is urged that the local board give them im- 
mediate attention. 

The importance of this work can be best estimated by the fact that on last Tuesday not less than 
ninety-four (94) seamen came to see us. 

Police Department 
We are In continual commimication with police departments all over the coiintry who have arrested 
men because of their inability to produce their registration cards. On receipt of such communications 
we confer with the Local Board having jurisdiction over the addresses given. We ascertain if the man 
has registered or not, and promptly communicate with the chief of police where the man is held, giving 
him the information we have obtained. 

Volunteer Workers Service 

We have supplied the Local Boards with volunteer workers to assist them in tabulating reports of 
the first draft. This service is being developed with the idea of giving the local boards workers immedi- 
ately upon receipt of their request to do so. 

The development of this idea is taken up In more detail hereafter. 

Hardship Cases 

"Hardship Cases" is a term that has been developed by the Local Boards to cover families of men 
who have been drafted and who are in need of financial assistance. These are cases that do not reflect 
upon the working of the Local Boards. 

It often happens, owing to ignorance that the husband failed to claim exemption and the wife to sign 
the necessary affidavit. These cases are not only in need of financial assistance, but of sympathetic ad- 
vice. We always communicate with the Local Boards and sometimes find them perfectly willing to re- 
open the case, providing the wife will bring sufficient proof. We are often able to advise the women how 
the papers may be obtained. 

When we have ascertained that the Local Board is powerless to re-open the case, we notify the Joint 
Bureau of the American Red Cross and the Mayor's Committee on National Defense which is on 
this floor. 

Plans in Process of Development 

Volunteer Workers 

We are now developing a service whereby a Local Board can call on us at any time for volunteer 
workers. To that end we are making plans for five thousand (5000) volimteers and for filing them accord- 
ing to Local Boards. 

When this plan is complete, we hope that upon receipt of a telephone communication from a Local 
Board to be able to go to our card index and have in our files names and addresses of twenty-five (25) 
volimteers residing in the inunediate neighborhood of this Local Board, and have them at work within 
three or four hours. 

Service Bureau for Discharged Soldiers And Sailors 

While the assisting of the Military Authorities in the prosecution of the war has been our chief con- 
cern, we have not overlooked the question of meeting "after-war conditions," and to that end we are 
carefully planning a Bxu-eau which wiU be able to find employment for soldiers and sailors when they are 
once discharged from active service. 

The outline of the plan is to secure from employers a pledge to re-employ as many of their old men 
as possible. Also to place those men who cannot be reinstated with their former employers owing to the 
act that the war has adversely affected these concerns. 



Report of Publicity Department 

HEBER BLANKENHORN, Manager 

The Mayor's Committee on National Defense established this Department because it had to. Be- 
yond the mere advisability of mobilizing public opinion in any sort of war work, the Committee found it 
absolutely necessary to utilize the newspapers. Time and again only the newspapers could accomplish 
what was desired, such as the sudden notification to the immobiUzed National Army or calls for volunteer 
workers in recruiting and Americanization campaigns. 

The activities of the Mayor's Committee from the pubUcity viewpoint fall into two general divi- 
sions; First, grappling with emergency tasks, generally involving a great number of persons; second, 
maintaining continuous services, as through committees, departments and bureaus. The activities of 
the PubUcity Department are required in both divisions. 

One of the emergencies, In which it was necessary to reach 40,000 men, was National Army Day. 
The Committee, on short notice, imdertook to organize the parade of unmobillzed Selected Men. To 

38 



notify these men of the Invitation to march, to Inform them of the assembly places, how to get their bras- 
sards, and what privileges would be theirs for the day at ball games, theatres, etc., appeal to the news- 
papers was the only course possible. Likewise on National Guard Send-oil Day, it was suddenly decided 
to reserve places along the line of march for the families of the guardsmen. To inform the public of this 
arrangement, and to urge compliance, it was again necessary to rely on publicity. 

In the emergencies connected with the registration days under both the National and State Mili- 
tary Laws, and the organization of the Draft Boards, the Committee's share in these tasks was facili- 
tated by prompt and systematic connection with the newspapers. "When the Committee took part in 
entertaining various missions, notably the British Ministry of Munitions' representatives, this depart- 
ment, through wide publication of the plans of the Mission, helped greatly in accomplishing the purpose 
of the visitors. 

A typical example of the speedy effectiveness of such methods appeared when the Adjutant Gen- 
eral's office at Albany, in preparation for the second draft, requested the Mayor's Committee to obtain 
civilian volunteer assistants for the local Draft Boards. This department secured such widespread pub- 
lication of a call for volunteers that in a single day the local boards were swamped with satisfactory ap- 
plicants. Such results are not so simple as might seem. The ready co-operation of editors in an emergency 
is assured only when they can deal with a pubUcity department whose judgment they respect and whose 
methods fit newspaper requirements. 

The second phase of the Department's duties, that connected with the continuous activities of 
the Mayor's Committee, is a much more difficult matter. Ordinarily these do not make "good news." 
They are routine, important, but not spectacular, and yet it is necessary to keep them before the public 
as much as possible. Bm-eaus of information and supply frequently double their usefulness when al^le 
to command the newspapers, but they rarely make "good headlines." Despite this, many papers 
consistently carry our announcements regarding meetings, speakers, outings, investigations, recruiting 
oflBce addresses and recruiting needs. 

Emergencies arise also in these continuous services. In the Americanization campaign, on the eve 
of Federal registration, and in the early stages of the draft, it was necessary to obtain great numbers of 
volvmteer workers quickly. Tliis was done in part through the newspapers. 

The Recruiting Committee's work is continually expanding into campaigns and drives, necessitating 
extra effort by this Department to obtain the necessary publicity. A great many meetings and demon- 
strations are "covered" by papers at our instance, no published credit being given to the Mayor's Com- 
mittee. 

The efforts of the Committee on Industry to effect settlements in labor disturbances, notably the 
Longshoremen's and Milk Drivers' strikes, were pushed to the front in the newspapers in order to make 
it a matter of common knowledge that the Mayor's Committee stood ready as an impartial body to mediate 
in labor difficulties, and particularly to mediate quickly. 

Even such activities as the establishment of the employment clearing house and of the fire hazard 
inspection bureau, ordinarily considered very dry reading, were popularized to the best abiUty of this de- 
partment. 

The Department wishes to express its appreciation of the co-operation of the newspapers. The 
newspapers appreciated the estabUshment of the Department, because it simplified their task and in- 
sured getting accounts of the Committee's work in a shape suitable for publication. Editors showed their 
appreciation of the reUability of the department by the way in which they made extensive use of our 
statements without troubling to change or verify them. 

Especial credit for establishing good relation with the newspapers is due to Mr. Maximilian Elser, 
Jr., who resigned the management of the department to enter the Officers' Training Camp at Plattsburg. 
Very effective work was also accompUshed by Mr. Wayne L. Randall, who in addition to liis other duties, 
had charge of publicity during my absence. For myself, I wish to acknowledge the helpful advice and free 
criticism of the heads and secretaries of all the departments, and especially of Mr. McCook, who con- 
sistently maintained the practice of inspecting all "copy" sent out. 

The difficulties with which this Department struggles are often considerable. Newspapers, crowded 
with war news, lack space and what space they have at disposal, they aim to All with news altogether 
unrelated to the war. Moreover, the importunities of many other civilian war organizations, such as the 
Red Cross, the Liberty Loan, Army and Navy benefits and bazaars, Y. M. C. A. and Reconstruction 
Funds, have made editors distinctly wary of "war activity copy," which is not in itself "good news." The 
Mayor's Committee, we feel, is often accorded more space than would seem to be its fair share, and on the 
other hand it is often unable to get printed what it feels is necessary to its work, for the reasons given above. 

The Department's difficulties in this respect will increase as the war demands more and more of the 
energies of the whole nation. The more complicated, however, the city's war activities become, the more 
necessary will be intelligent publicity to help in co-ordinating and clarifying such multiplex effort. 

Report of Bronx Advisory Committee 

EDWARD R. KOCH, Chairman 

The work of the Mayor's Committee on National Defense in the Bronx was started with the cam- 
paign for signatures to the Declaration to the President in the early spring of this year. This work was 
begun before the declaration of war and at a time when such patriotic worl: was a new idea. After this cam- 
paign had ended, the work of creating an organization to carry on intelligently work of a patriotic 
character was conunenced in earnest. 

39 



Tte Brcnx Division secured as clerical help an Executive Secretary, Miss Estelle M. Burrows, and 
a clerk, Joseph Weissman. With this staff the work in the Bronx has been carried on during the entire 
period of its existence since the end of the campaign for signatiires to the Declaration to the President. 

The Bronx cflRce organized its own Speakers' Bureau and its own Automobile Bureau. It has also 
undertaken to get its own music so far as possible, and has obtained in the Brcnx thousands of dollars 
worth of music free of charge. 

We have furnished all Broirx newspapers with copy relating to our work and with other news of 
patriotic character. It is estimated that upwards of two milhon pieces of patriotic literature — posters, 
etc., — have been distributed thru various agencies: including pupils of the high schools, pupils of the 
public schools, boy scouts, volunteer boy workers, etc. 

When it became necessary to do the work on the State Census, the Bronx Advisory Committee 
undertook to see to it that this work as it affected the Bronx woxild be done by the people of the Bronx 
and the Chairman of the Census Committee for the Bronx was appointed by the Chairman of the Bronx 
Advisory Committee. 

The largest part of our work has been the campaign of patriotic education wliich we have conducted. 
Almost every evening a speaking tour has been made. One or two automobiles containing one or more 
speakers and a bugler or cornetist has left our headquarters and toured the Bronx, stopping at three or 
four congested points dixring the course of the evening and addressing the crowds assembled. 

During the early part of this work, the attention of the speakers was directed particularly to the 
obtaining of recruits. While latterly this particular phase of the work has not been so prominent, perhaps, 
it has still continued. It has been found necessary to speak in some sections of our territory very often 
along the most fundamental patriotic lines in order to combat what sometimes appeared to be an organized 
campaign of disloyalty. These speaking tours have been supplemented b> talks at the theatres and the 
larger moving picture houses of the Bronx. Five minute talks have been dehvered and we have nad fine 
co-operation by the managers. We have addressed an average of fifty theatre audiences a week during 
about two and a half months. Besides these occasions, we have in many special instances furnished speakers 
to churches, clubs, schools and to various other organizations and for various other occasions. 

In the eaily part of Jime, a Parade Day of the school children of the Bronx was arranged for by this 
Committee, and about one dozen separate parades were held in different parts of the Borough in which, 
in the aggregate, aboxit 25,000 school children took part. Automobiles were sent to the various congested 
points and addresses were made to the people assembled. The children as they marched carried barmers 
of a patriotic nature and distributed patriotic literature. Each girl was given a window card, designed 
by this oflBce, lo take home. 

At the Evening Celebration of Bronx Day, June 21st this Committee assisted materially in arrang- 
ing the program. 

About the middle of July, the Kiltie Gordon and McLean Highlanders came to the Bronx imder 
the auspices of ovu' Committee, and paraded in two sections thru various parts of the Bronx. Speeches 
were made by prominent citizens of the Bronx from Fifth Avenue buses, which accompanied the paraders. 
We arranged a mass meeting in Crotona Park, Borough of the Bronx on August 15th, at which it 
was estimated that 20,000 people were present. The unique feature of this mass meeting, which was held 
in the open air, was that there were four platforms on the field, each with its own speakers and entertainers. 

The parade of drafted men, held in the Bronx just before the first quota was called into active service, 
arranged by this Committee, was very successf;d, about 80% of the 4800 men who had been called respond- 
ing. There were two reviewing stands, one for the exclusive use of parents and the other at Borough Hall, 
at which the men were reviewed by Borough and County officials. On tliree occasions when the drafted 
men left for entrainment for Yaphank, send-off parades were arranged by the Bronx Committee. 

The Committee also arranged a patriotic parade and mass meeting in conjunction with the Tremont 
Business Men's Association, wliich conducted a carnival in the Tremont section of the Bronx, in which 
several bands and patriotic organizations participated. 

We have co-operated with the New York City Food Committee, with the Bronx Division of the 
American Red Cross and the CiviUan ReUef Division of the Red Cross downtown, also with the Liberty 
Loan Committee in its parade and otherwise, and have assisted in many miscellaneous patriotic move- 
ments. We have fiu-nished a great deal of clerical help to the local draft boards, and on some occasions 
have acted as a sort of clearing house of information for them and for all branches of the military service. 

Our efforts just at this time are directed toward a campaign of Americanization which contemplates 
the sending of speakers to every dance hall in the Bronx on every night of the week at which a dance is 
held, the covering of theatr; j. as heretofore, where not covered by other organizations, church fairs, bazaars 
and any other occasion where a large audience can be had. 

We have in the past used practically aU the pubUc officials of the Bronx and many of its prominent 
men, including clergymen, lawyers and business men. In order to widen the field, we have circularized 
the principals and teachers of the public schools of the Bronx as well as the ministers, priests and rabbis, 
and have invited them to assist us in our work. Many of the public school principals and teachers have 
had no experience in public speaking such as would fit them for our work, and in order to develop their 
powers we have thru the coiu-tesy of the Y. M. C. A. estabUshed a class in public speaking, which is held 
every Saturday afternoon in the Bronx building of the Y. M. C. A. and which is conducted by Mr. Dale 
Carnagey, the instructor in public speaking of the Bronx Y. M. C. A. 

We have received from Mr. McCook and Mr. Owens generous aid and co-operation at all times 
and this has been true of the entire headquarters staff. We have in general received the co-operation, 
the sympathy and the earnest support of people of all classes, ages and conditions in the Bronx, and of 
all those with whom we have come in contact in our work, and credit for such success as we have had is 
due those who have helped us so patriotically. 

40 



Report of Queens Advisory Cominittee 

C. G. M. THOMAS, Chairman 

Responsive to yoxir request, I have the honor to submit the following report regarding the activi- 
ties of the Queens Ad\asory Committee. 

The Queens Advisory Committee organized with Mr. Walter I. Willis as Vice-Chairman, and Mr. 
F. E. Breyfogle as Secretary of the Committee. 

The following sub-committees were appointed: Finance Committee, of which Mr. Stuard Hirsch- 
man was appointed Chairman, together with seven members of the Mayor's Committee who were resi- 
dents of Queens; a Recruiting Committee, with Mr. Alfred M. Barrett as Chairman and nine other mem- 
bers; a Speakers' Committee, with Rev. George Drew Egbert, of Flushing, as Chairman, and a member 
from each of the five wards of the Borough; and a Committee, cf which Mr. Walter I. Willis, Vice-Chair- 
man of the Cominitteo, was appointed Chairman, to assist in taking the State Military Censas. 

From time to time, as the occasion required, other committees were appointed to take charge of 
special work, such as co-operation with the Queens County War Aid Association for the disseminating of 
information to aliens just prior to the taking of the State Military Census, and other matters. 

Tne Finance Committee, under the direction of Mr. Stuard Hirschmen, has operated in clo.se har- 
mony with the Finance Committee of the main committee and its chairman has reported the success of 
their solicitations directly to the Chairman of the main committee. 

The Recruiting Committee, under the direction of Mr. A. M. Barrett, has performed most excellent 
and efficient service. They have been well organized, holding numerous patriotic meetings through the 
Borough, successfully stimulating enlistment in the Armj and Navy. Their work has, of necessity, slowed 
up since the selective rtraft law became effective; prior to the first quota of the men leaving for the canton- 
ments, a number of dinners, entertainments, etc., were held in different parts of the Borough, the Mayor's 
Committee in Queens co-onerating in this work through its Recruiting Committee. Incidental to the 
work of the Recruiting Committee, and at their solicitation, additional stations for receiving enlistments 
were located by the National authorities at various points of the Borough. They held meetings at street 
corners, addresses being made by speakers from automobiles and by soldiers in uniform; large meetings 
were held in the school buildings, and at a single meeting held in a Polish Colony in one of the wards, 
twenty-two men volunteered for service in the United States Army. 

The ^Military Census Committee had in claarge the taking of the State Military Census. The Chair- 
man of this Committee, Mr. Walter 1. Willis, was appointed a deputy to Director of Census Goodrich, 
and during the period of the census listed something in excess of 200,000 names. The task was performed 
by an army of volxmteer workers, and. acting under the direction of Mr. Willis, Chairman of the sub-com- 
unttee, performed most excellent service, calling forth most complimentary reference from those to whom 
tbe census was reported. 

The Speakers' Committee, under the direction of Rev. George Drew Egbert, has been in existence 
but a short time, but has found opportunity to supply speakers for several occasions. The main supply 
of speakers who have come to the Borough through the Mayor's Committee has been from the general 
Speakers' Committee, whose prompt attention to the request of the Chairman of the Queens Borough 
Committee, has contributed largely to the success of many meetings in Queens, and has been of great 
practical benefit in furthering the cause for which the Committee on National Defense was formed. 

In closing it is a pleasure to acknowledge the obligation of the Chairman of the Borough Committee 
for the uniform courtesy of the gentlemen, members of the general committee, to the general office staff 
and sub-committees, who had charge of the work. The spirit which prompted tlie appointment of the 
original cominittee appeared to be communicated to the chairmen of each of the subsidiary committees, 
and the results of their work must be a lasting credit to the man in whose mind was originally conceived 
he appointment of a Committee on National Defense. 



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